Search - Valensia :: Kosmos

Valensia's second album

Robert Storm | Finland | 05/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dutch singer Valensia's debut album was one of the big things for me in the 90's, and I still think it's one of the best debut albums ever. This second album didn't blow my mind the same way the first one did. It's not less good in any way, it just doesn't have the same charm of novelty. There are a lot of emotional melodies and lush arrangements on this album. Valensia's never afraid of sounding sentimental or bombastic. He sings with a high and beautiful voice. When I first heard him, I thought he was a girl. There are some very energetic songs (Thunderbold), beautiful power ballads (The Barely Acceptable Truth of Knowing II), a waltz (Kosmos)... Some people have criticized Valensia for plagiarizing his idols Queen, Kate Bush and The Beatles. Sure it's easy to hear that he's influenced by those artists but the way he combines his influences is certainly original. A good example of this is "Blasphemian Charlatan" in which he combines a Kate Bush kind of melody, Queen kind of harmonies and some kind of reggae accompaniment. At the moment Valensia's one of the most interesting rock artists in the world. Unfortunately he's almost unknown in Europe and America, and tours mostly in Japan. So it's unlikely that I would see him live in concert very soon."

Great CD with variation! Simply perfect!

Robert Storm | 07/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kosmos is a great CD with a variety of songs. In my opinion Blasphemian Charlatan, Thunderbolt & Chique, Mystique & Excentrique are the best. Chique, Mystique & Excentrique is a song about himself. Pronounced like French, Valensia says: Singing in Falcet doesn't confirm ones gender, and textile's no criminale!. And that is exactly what makes Valensia so unique. He dares to be himself!Hope you can find out the secret messages in the CD?In fact you should listen to the CD yourself. You won't regret it!"