Wednesday, October 26, 2011

CD Review: The Cambodian Space Project's '2011: A Space Odyssey'

The Cambodian Space Project
2011: A Space Odyssey
Metal Postcard

The Cambodian-based band, The Cambodian Space Project, is made up of a Cambodian singer, Srey Thy, and a cohort of French and Australian ex-pat musicians. The result is a candid, folk-rock, and surfedelica that explores the Golden Age of Cambodia's hit-makers--Pan Ron and Ros Sereysothea. The Klezmer-like sound of the opener, "Snaeha Doc Toek Kmom (Love Like Honey)," is a catchy tune with accordion, clarinet, and all the familiar bass, keyboards, and guitars that made the nostalgic music so popular. The traditional tune, "Tek Tum (Big Water)," is great work with harmonica drones, accordion sounds, and a solid beat that is as magical as it is creative. The 60s pop sound of "Pros Kangaroo" is a perfect little tune with a California-sound that is uniquely Cambodian. The words of Ros Sereysothea's "Kolos Srey Chaom (Love God)" features the melody of the Dutch band Shocking Blue's 1969 hit, "Venus." All in all, The Cambodian Space Project is the rock-child of America's Dengue Fever. ~ Matthew Forss

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