Viva la Venus

Viva la Venus' "The Never Ending Mending Story" is a solid rock album from four rockin' local women. Many of their songs have very different styles and sounds. Two of my favorite songs have to be "Dance" and "Sex". "Sex" has got that sleek, sexy kind of sound that Cake usually delivers in their albums with a more dirty set of lyrics. "Dance" has this upbeat sort of feel with a great breakdown in the middle of it that even made me start grooving in the mirror. This album brings a good combination of great rock sounds, while not being stranded to one place or feel.

...Now I'd have to say that this is a real original band, with a real original set of songs. You never hear what they say in their lyrics said in any other cd around. They speak of things ranging from sex to meat loaf night. Crazy! But overall these woman know how to kick it up a notch when playing. What makes them mostly original is the fact that they have fun in every one of their tracks, and you can tell this through the recording. Overall I'd have to say this is their cd's best trait next to the fact that the songs are good. - Mediarite.net

Musically there's plenty of talent. Great guitar work on all songs...The definite gem of the album is the vocal collaboration between the two trading lead singers and the background vocalists.  It's wonderful. - southofmainstream.com

First thing I notice about this CD is the sexy cover. Two of my favorite things: women's legs and rock n' roll guitars! Great professional packaging. Good lyrics, some thoughtful and slightly disturbing, others are fun. The music itself can be pretty diverse but it's all Viva La Venus still. They have their own sound. It would be hard to compare them to any other bands. Mostly driving, melodic, guitar pop with great female vocals. Some really good bass lines and solid drumming. I liked every song. Hard To Rock really stood out for me. This is the kind of stuff modern rock radio should be playing. I recommend them to any booking agent/promoter or to anybody looking to go see a great band play live. - (September 27, 2005) - James AT-15

Video - Yum Yum magazine

Quote: "This female fronted rock band are great songwriters, but dont expect wimpy Sarah McLachlan sentiments."

By Jamie Anderson

In their liner notes they thank "their baggage and issues for the unending inspiration" but like a good rock band they also thank "everyone who bought us beers/shots." This female fronted rock band are great songwriters, but don't expect wimpy Sarah McLachlan sentiments. They aren't your average wall-of-sound band, with amps turned up to 11 for every song. Melodic songs in gritty arrangements feature chunky guitar plus solid bass and drums that drive but dont dominate. Wendy Brancaccio nails the vocals in most songs with a clear voice that could be pop star pretty if she was willing to stoop that low. These songs demand more emotion and she delivers it, along with the stop-on-dime musicianship of the rest of the band. Mary Anne Barckhoff lays a steady groove on the bass and also plays some tasty guitar. She doesn't rely on cookie cutter riffs you swear you've heard in every tired top forty song. None of the band does -- from the creative guitar chops of Susan Darney to Trey McLambs right-on drums -- there's nothing average about Viva la Venus.

An evil guitar lick opens the disc with "Back Alley Love Slam." The vocals sneak in with lyrics about a stale relationship then slam in with "More, I want more." Get it, loser? Theres another sinister guitar in "Years Gone By," and with the almost sweet lyrics, its a great contrast, especially with "And I waited for you to be kind to me." Maybe she still wants him and by the end, if you were only listening to the words you'd think it was true, but from the way the guitar blasts in, there's no doubt. She's done with you, jerk.

"Free" takes a different path. With jangley guitar reminicent of a good 60's pop song, its wistful in the beginning, but this anthem doesn't pull any punches with its message to forget about yesterday and move on. A melodic bass drives the accusatory "Awaken," about a controlling lover. "Never Forgive" begins with a dissonant guitar riff that makes more than one appearance in the song. Don't let those pretty cascading notes fool you, this is another dark song that slams in with "I will never forgive you." Never piss off a songwriter, people. "Hard to Rock" is pushed by a fat distorted guitar and no, its not a good-time party tune:

Nothing so easy should be so fucking hard
A boat that is sinking shouldn't be so hard to rock ...

"Pig" takes a different, less personal direction than the other songs. About a sexual predator, it pulls no punches:

Preying on the innocent
Why don't you pick on someone your own size?
Not a man if it fit
She was only six ...

If you dont listen to closely to "Crush," the upbeat guitar lick and almost disco bass makes it sound like a fun dance tune. Shake your booty anyway. Its dark, but who says dance equals happy? "Break" is another great screw-you-I'm-gone song. The disc ends with "Nightfall," an almost ballad with a sweet cello. It kicks up at the chorus and features some more of that creative arrangement voodoo that Viva la Venus is so good at.

Send this disc to your loser boyfriend, to your best friend who just got dumped, and of course, buy yourself a copy. Slap it on your iPod and turn it up. Give your baggage the groove it deserves. - Jamie Anderson