DARLING VIOLETTA
Parlour (Opaline Records)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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Is it because I associate the voice of Cami Elen with Buffy The Vampire Slayer and all the mystique that goes with that, or because her band, Darling Violetta, understands how to make music that is at once beautiful, powerful and creepy? Whatever the reason, I find myself captivated by most of the material on this CD, the first full-length release by Darling Violetta. The band provided the music for the Buffy spinoff, Angel, so creating captivating music isn't a new thing for Cami, guitarist Jymm Thomas and drummer Steve McManus. Don't expect a band capable of nothing but soundtrack music, though. This is music with enough character and power to excite the goth crowd and enough structure and beauty to crack the some radio markets. Even though the psychedelic rockout of "Candy Jones" completely knocked me out and the song instantly became one of my favorite songs of the psych genre, I think it's my goth side that's truly hyped about Darling Violetta. I recognize the beauty of Cami's voice and the skill of her band, but it's the goosebumps I get when I'm immersed in the foggy, reverbed atmosphere of this music that wins me over and makes me subconsciously leave my neck exposed.

© 2003 - DJ Johnson