On
Hard Time for Dreamers, Miami's
See Venus debuts their light and airy indie pop sound. From the elegant opener "Trust" to the frolic of the closer "Shine Like Stars," the band shows a commitment to style and substance throughout. Singer Rocky Ordonez showcases her soft vocal approach, which effortlessly glides through the disc, serving as the band's secret weapon. They pick up the pace on "I'll Bet You Know," though the pace remains remarkably bubbly and carefree, while "Boy Bubble Blue" shines seamlessly with an undeniably dreamy quality. "You & Me" and "Each and Every Word" cement the album's tone of graceful and unfiltered indie pop. The band's sparkling instrumental sound is crafted by bassist Eric Rasco, percussionist Chris O'Malley, guitarist Christopher Moll, multi-instrumentalist Eddie Alonso and guitarist Ordonez, while various members take turns on keyboards and vibraphone, among others. A slew of guest musicians also appear. The album's clarity and clean mixes add up to an impressive first serving from one of indie pop's rising stars. Recorded at various times between 2000 and 2003, March Records released
Hard Time for Dreamers in early 2004. ~ Stephen Cramer