Venus Hum - Big Beautiful Sky

Soul Sloshing Hummingbirds

Venus Hum - Big Beautiful Sky music review

Big Beautiful Sky is the debut album release by Annette Strean, Tony Miracle and Kip Kubin, collectively known as Venus Hum. Seriously. The debut full-length release from Venus Hum is truly an incredible album; sensual, erotic, and richly textured, vocalist Annette Strean seduces listeners with her angelic voice and captivates with her eccentric stylings. There is magic here. Big Beautiful Sky is full of enchanting sounds and blends, meshing the synth-pop of the early 80's with the stimulating vibrations of modern electronica.

"Hummingbirds Some of my favourite colours in the world Beat against my eyelids with the blues of green hummingbirds Some of my favourite colours in the world Beat against my eyelids with the reds of pink hummingbirds Blue Moon So white So scared To come out tonight It's too dark For him He's just a boy With a man's grin…" Hummingbirds [Venus Hum - Big Beautiful Sky]

You need only listen to the first 30 seconds of Hummingbirds to recognize it as a surefire Grammy nominee. Big Beautiful Sky by Venus Hum is a superb first offering. Their sound has been described as recalling everything from The Sugarcubes to The Cocteau Twins, to Kate Bush, though in truth that does little justice to the unique, dreamlike beauty that resonates throughout Big Beautiful Sky. Like the state of Montana with its awe-inspiring vistas and majestic mountains, Annette Strean and Venus Hum promise endless horizons.

Annette Strean of Venus Hum

Annette Strean grew up in an idyll setting in the small rustic town of Whitefish, Montana surrounded by her idealistic parents. "My dad was a logger, there were four kids and my mom stayed home with us," Annette fondly remembers. "The house that we grew up in was way out in the woods. Whenever you played, you played outside. You did everything outside. All your entertainment…"

"Indulging inaccuracy I'm picking apart my friend Lizzie Throw another word on me and watch me hurl it back I know you! (I swear I do) You're just like me- You're sipping a cup of pity Aww! Did I forget to mention I'm the center of attention In my universe my pain's my pension I know you! (I swear I do) You're just like me-You're sipping a cup of dreams Yeah! Soul sloshing-don't shush me Just listen to me -pretty little kitty in the sky The bass of my laughter-my gut is the speaker Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Sweet is my surprise! " Soul Sloshing [Venus Hum - Big Beautiful Sky]

You can feel the love of open spaces in Annette's singing. Her perspective of the world is never held back, and, as with any true artist, we are invited to share her visions and memories, hopes and dreams. Strean has a sultry vunerability and hidden strength that few artists possess. I'm reminded of Natalie Merchant, Bjork and Debbie Harry while never doubting for a moment that the voice, and person, I am hearing is all Annette Strean.

"…I can see me dancing on my radio I can hear you singing in the blades of grass Yellow dandelions on my way to school Big Beautiful Sky! " Montana [Venus Hum - Big Beautiful Sky]

Tony Miracle whiled away his younger years on a keyboard and guitar, he even fronted his own band, Pyrex Fantasy, when only nine years old. Miracle's Big Beautiful Skies were viewed from his Cincinatti suburban home. A little east of Ohio, along a side street in the industrial heart of New Jersey, sitting in a cramped basement, Kip Kubin decided he would make music his own way. Kip Kubin was peering over the shoulder of his best friend whose dad was piecing together homemade synthesizers. "They had Tomita records laying around", Kubin recalls, "and I would listen to them. What I liked about that was, there was a freedom, in that if I wanted to be a classical musician, I wouldn't have to learn how to play the violin to be able to play what's on the page. I could instead create a sound in my head and twist some knobs, join oscillators together with envelopes and filters and make a sound and then rework how I want that particular passage to sound." Tony and Kip do an excellent job of weaving lush soundscapes that accentuate Strean's vocals and never overwhelm.

Independently each future member of Venus Hum, made their way to the American musical mecca that is Nashville, Tennesee. If their independent journeys seemed like pilgrimages, then so be it. The fact is that the three came together to create a very special sound that is coming more and more to represent the new Nashville. Good things are happening in that hallowed place. Whatever magic lives there has certainly taken hold and blessed the three artists of Venus Hum. Make no mistake, these three are going far. - Review by Jack "Papa" Baer 2003/04/20

Want more Venus Hum? Check out Venus Hum performing I Feel Love in collaboration with Blue Man Group as featured on The Complex. In addition to Venus Hum, Blue Man Group's The Complex features the Dave Matthews hit, Sing Along. Visit BIGBAER's Blue Man Group - The Complex Review for more!

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