Customer Reviews

Escape From Dragon House

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought the original version of this CD after stumbling across Dengue Fever on the National Geographic world music website under Cambodia (even though the band is in Southern California -- where else!). What a find! From the moment I popped it into my CD player, I was hooked. I can't exactly claim to be a world music aficionado, but I do like to try different kinds of music from just about everywhere, and every once in a while I get lucky and find a real gem like this one.

I can't understand a word of Khmer, but that was no impediment to my falling in love with Chhom Nimol. Her voice is powerful, clear, and mesmerizing. The music feels kind of like a time warp. It makes me feel good. In trying to describe it, words like mod, cool, groovy, and funky come to mind. There's one track in particular, "One Thousand Tears of a Tarantula," that makes me feel like I'm dissolving or something; I don't know how else to describe it. How do they do that??? At first my wife thought I was going a little crazy listening to that -- but I think I've got her liking it now too. There are a whole lot of other great tracks here too. Give it a try -- you won't regret it! By the way, I also have their self-titled debut album and it has the same addictive effect on me.

Just the other day I bought this recently released enhanced version of this CD, partly because I was afraid of wearing the first one out. The bonus track is kind of fun, and the video is fantastic! The whole band looks really cool. It's psychadelic! -- I hope I can use that word here without giving the wrong connotation. And in case I haven't said it already, Chhom Nimol is beautiful.

If you are looking for music to put on after hours with some candle light, cocktails, and some good people than this is it. Dengue Fever are funky, groovy, mysterious, romantic, and pyschedelic! The musicianship is top notch. The singing is all in Khmer, which is the main language of Cambodia? This is a sexy and catchy album. I was looking for music that had a retro/funk/surfer style, but with an edge. The edge is the singing in a different language. Don't worry about lyrics or that you can't understand it. Just relax. Fix a drink. Pur some loose clothing on and play this loud because this ain't for meditation. It's for people who want to be groovy baby.

I bought this because I was immensely impressed by their newest album, "Venus on Earth" and this one is just as great. The songs, by and large, are drenched in straight-up psychedelic pop and are so darn catchy that you'll have these tunes stuck in your head for hours...even if you can't understand the lyrics. But that's what's so great about this band: They transcend language and nationality and can be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates great music.

Who knew such a music existed - but it does, and we're lucky to have Dengue Fever bringing it to us. Take healthy doses of Ros Sereysothea (Cambodia's queen of Khmer garage rock and balladry) along with things like Fifty Foot Hose, the Doors, Pink Floyd, the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, Kak, etc - all darker voices in the psychedelic realm - and you'll begin to get an idea of what this band's all about. Beautiful Cambodian-influenced melodies sung (mostly) in beautiful Khmer, buzzing guitar lines, farfisa-ish organ, jazzy drumming, and fat inventive basslines - wow. The band's first record was a great cover album for Sereysothea and Sissamouth's songs, very true to form and great. This one grows a great deal, with more originals, a broadening of their sound - including funkier and heavier, and better production. It's great. Propulsive, melancholy, and passionate, you can't go wrong. If you're lucky enough to have them play live near you, go see them - they're great live too.

I discovered Dengue Fever while listening to radioparadise.com. I'm sorry to say that I don't understand the khmer lyrics, but I find it fascinating all the same.

I love the musicianship on this CD. The keyboards nicely complement the sound. I now have all three of their CDs and am exploring music by other Cambodian artists.

Caught their documentary thing on TV and knew I would like this. I really like this and try not to wear it out. Only for the open minded and weirdos. I really dig this.

I learned about this band on NPR. They got together after hearing 60s music rock music from Cambodia and decided to recreate it. They found a female singer fluent in Khmer to sing lead and off they went. It's so enjoyable and fun. The music has been featured on Weeds and True Blood. Buy it they are great!

i am a fan of OI! and punk. i love this CD and if you need a fix, dengue fever can help you.

Cambodia is the greatest country.

Who knew surfer rock and 50's era Khmer lounge music would result in such an addictive union. "Dengue" is getting better all the time; I'd probably start with "Venus on Earth" rather than "Dragon House" but both are excellent.

i had never heard this genre before the little samples seemed interesting, but the real thing blew me away. some of it is sixties-esk but the sound is done in an epic way, they don't hold back.