By Ljubinko Zivkovic, Rock At Night Amsterdam
Review: Strange Boutique – Let the Lonely Heart Sing – Release date: June 10, 2025
Does the band name Strange Boutique sound familiar? It just might be a case if you have previously encountered what some might consider a legendary Washington DC ethereal-sounding band, some 30 or so years ago. Back then, the band has caused some serious waves on the underground scene, gaining a staunch fan base, only to have a farewell show at the original Black Cat DC in November 1993.
And even though they lay quite for decades, and frontwoman Monica Richards went on to achieve further acclaim with the goth band Faith and the Muse, the seeds of Strange Boutique’s return were sown after the tragic murder of their seminal guitarist Fred “Freak” Smith in 2017. This event brought Monica Richards and bassist Steve Willett back together, leading to a sold-out reunion show in Fred’s honor at the DC Black Cat in 2019.
Now, even further on, Strange Boutique is back as a core trio that along with Richards and Willet includes guitarist Dennis Kane and their latest album ‘Let The Lonely Heart Sing’ that incorporates a set of guest drummers and a string section, they deliver another hefty does of ethereal/goth rock that will not only delight their old fans, but certainly bring some new (younger and not so younger) fans.
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