Spin Art
Venice
(Vanguard Records)

Two years after their Vanguard Record debut album, Born and Raise, hit music stores, Venice has decided to return to their roots with energetic and heart-wrenching lyrics in their latest album, Spin Art.

A huge departure from their previous albums, Spin Art (which comes in a very colorful CD case for those more interested in the way CDs look than sound) really draws you in with its first track, “The Man You Think I Am.”  The track’s upbeat sound and Jars of Clay feel is just one of the many songs on the CD that offers a unique and urbane look at everyday life.

Comprised of cousins (please insert your own “country folks” joke here) Kipp, Pat, Michael and Mark Lennon, these suburban LA dwellers, who refuse to follow the path of their urban counterparts, have been around for more than 15 years and have worked with such music greats as Phil Collins and Stevie Nicks.

Now I’m sure the odds are greater that your parents know more about Venice than you.  However, you may want to change those odds after you listen to Spin Art.  While most of the songs reach out to the geek or loner side in all of us, whether you admit it or not, one of the 13 tracks will make you reflect on your own life experiences.  Will the floodgates open, making you run for the nearest box of tissues?  No, but you may get the urge to do so.

Now if you can hold back those tears long enough to listen to the entire CD, you shouldn’t be disappointed.  Keep in mind that Venice’s sound is more like Fleetwood Mac than, for example, the Verve or Oasis, so unless you’re the sentimental type or just a plain loser who needs some motivation, then Spin Art isn’t for you.

If you’re man enough to buy a CD that has lyrics like “Poor you, Poor Me, Poor Love,” then Spin Art is the one you’re looking for.  In any case, Venice’s Spin Art is the type of music you listen to when you’re having a bad day and need a quick pick-me-up.

- James Boozer,Editor-in-Chief