Artist: Dengue Fever
Album: Escape from Dragon House
Label: M80/Birdman
Tracks: 11
Length: 49:19

Presentation, perhaps, shouldn’t be everything. But that’s no excuse for such a horribly designed layout. The cover, particularly the contrast of the blue and green, makes the muscles behind my eyes hurt. The lady on the cover looks like she belongs in a Fanta or Orbit Gum commercial. Opening the cd up isn’t much better. Though thankfully a lot less blue.

The first few times I listened to “Escape from Dragon House” the cover clouded my judgement on the actual music. But by my third time through I started picking up on what Dengue Fever was really trying to do and the sound they were going for. Their appearances would suggest that they’re from a Middle Eastern country of some kind, and the strong cultural feel to the music would back that possibility up. Most of the lyrics are sung in another language, though English is occasionally used, too.

The backing music has a similar feel as Augie March, with an added disco influence. The main vocals are performed by a female and she has a diva-like aura to her. As odd as the description sounds, Dengue Fever gets everything to mesh very well. They are very capable musicians and songwriters. It’ll take a few listens, but once you get used to the overall sound it will start to feel very natural. If you are looking for something a bit different with an international flavor, don’t let the cover of this cd discourage you.