Arena Venus

(click on links for full reviews)

"Local band Arena Venus has a secret weapon in singer Courtney Collins, whose sultry and expressive voice would sound great singing just about anything. Fortunately, she's chosen to pair it up with charging power-pop, and the resulting album Plucked radiates sheer joy." - The Onion

"Guitarist Dan Hicks throws down guitar riffs you'd expect to find on a Cheap Trick album (maybe not on the debut album... but maybe on Heaven Tonight), while vocalist Courtney Collins has that throaty, sultry Debbie Harry thang goin' on. It's a cool mix that‚s awfully appropriate considering the geography involved (Hey, Rick Nielsen's house is only, what, an hour away in Rockford?)." - DJ Hostility, Actionman Magazine

"Arena Venus usually plays driving rock, but for Yuletide Swank the band has dispensed with that in favor of a swinging lounge sound typified by the marvelous vibraphone present on several tracks. There are also hints of rockabilly - Elvis Presley's 'Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me' is present and accounted for - and bits of electric guitar and lap steel add a touch of twang. But Arena Venus' signature instrument is Courtney Collins' silky voice, which sounds especially good when she is singing a cappella ("Riu Chiu") or when she is harmonizing with the Melismatics' Ryan Smith on 'Baby, It's Cold Outside.'" - Kenneth Burns, Isthmus

" ...Yuletide Swank is pure pop pleasure. It's a fun ride for a broad audience of holiday music lovers. Take a seat in the lounge, and enjoy!" - Carol Swanson, Christmasreviews.com

"The band candy-coats its usual guitar rock edge and gives yuletide favorites an 'indie lounge' feel that goes down as smooth as spiked eggnog at your holiday party." - Rob Thomas, The Capital Times

"Arena Venus could likely succeed in any genre, the elements from each of the individual players are that in tune and that cohesive." - Christine Holm, The Badger Herald

"The've got well-written, powerful guitar parts, solid drumming, durable bass lines, and a singer who has an amazing, sultry voice. The music rocks." - Saara Myrene Raappana, Actionman Magazine

"The material nods to the past but is rich in modern influence. With an almost painful grit, 'Plucked' leaves the listener feeling delightfully sleazy." - Mike Huberty, Maximum Ink

"Hicks' guitar playing is meaty and tasty, and the lyrics are smart." Rick Tvedt, Rick's Café

"One of the most exciting new bands is Arena Venus, who play gritty rock reminiscent of early Pretenders." - Kenneth Burns, Isthmus

"Let's get this out of the way straight off - this is the best Christmas album I've ever heard - anywhere. Brilliant arrangements and sublime musicianship...with a pristine recording and mix, delivering one of the best albums of the year." - Rick's Cafe, South Central Wisconsin's Regional Music News