Venice
The sound of beatiful vocals
One would be hard-pressed to find a group with more determination, conviction or integrity than VENICE. Comprised of cousins Kipp and Michael Lennon and their respective brothers Pat and Mark Lennon, this suburban Los Angeles quartet steadfastly refuses to succumb to fast-buck trendiness, opting instead for a more humanistic musical approach. Since forming in the '80s, the group's surf-scented harmonies and folk-pop sounds have garnered the respect of the music industry's most discerning critics. In a 1997 review, Billboard magazine drew favorable comparisons to Crosby, Stills & Nash and the Eagles, and praised the group's "seamless harmonies." David Crosby called VENICE "the best vocal group in the country and one of the best groups of any kind I have ever heard." As a group, and/or individuals, VENICE has toured and recorded with rock legends like Jackson Browne, Stevie Nicks, Warren Zevon, David Crosby, Brian Wilson and Phil Collins. What's more, the group's headline performances and popular web sites draw thousands of devoted fans of their own worldwide.
Now, this critically acclaimed quartet offers a recording that's as hypnotic and compelling as their live performances. Produced and engineered by Michael Lennon and mixed by Thom Panunzio (U2, Pretenders, Bruce Springsteen), Spin Art features 12 original compositions that run the gamut from effervescent rockers ("The Man You Think I Am," "One Quiet Day," "World Upon My Back"), to pensive ballads ("The Road to Where You Are," "The Family Tree") and r&b-inflected pop ("End of the World"). These engaging originals are offset by an earnest interpretation of Fleetwood Mac's 1977 classic "Landslide." Vibrant and engaging, Spin Art is as colorful as its explosive cover art - which, by the way, was created by the band.
Indeed, from its original artwork and songs, to Michael Lennon's luminous production, Spin Art is a harmonious celebration of self-expression. There's a method to the group's family-oriented, hands-on approach. We've got a lot of family," says Kipp Lennon, laughing. "Michael and Mark have 13 siblings in their family, while Pat and I have 11 brothers and sisters. We all learned to get along at an early age and not "rock the boat" in group situations. A perfect training ground for being in a band that collaborates and travels as much as we do. Our fathers, Bill and Ted Lennon, sang in a swing group in the '40s and '50s and Pat and my oldest sisters are The Lennon Sisters from the Lawrence Welk Show of the '60s, so we grew up around a lot of the same family-work type situations we find ourselves in today. Our band is like an extension of our family." As Kipp's comments would suggest, the members of VENICE are proud traditionalists, which would explain the group's rock-solid influences. With its beguiling mix of pop, rock, folk and r&b, Spin Art is a no-nonsense recording with time-tested appeal. "I think it's a really strong record," says Pat Lennon. "I recently listened to it after about a two-week break, and I just thought, 'wow, this is really good.' Michael did a great job of producing, and I just love the songs.
It just seems like a really solid record."
Spin Art is a departure from VENICE's 1997 Vanguard Records debut album Born and Raised. That album - which Relix magazine described as "... majestic, harmony-filled, acoustic folk-rock" - won plaudits for its intimate, introspective songs.
By comparison, Spin Art comes on like the first album's outgoing cousin. "On Born and Raised, we intentionally pulled back in order to make a record that was more acoustic and more vocals-forward," explains Kipp. "Spin Art is more like our live shows. There's a lot more electricity and live drums sounds on this record without sacrificing the acoustic textures. It's a nice marriage of the two musical sides of the group."
The new album marks the first time the members of VENICE have collaborated with songwriters outside their select circle of musical friends, and the experience proved inspiring. "Working with other writers created a friendly competition within the group," says Michael Lennon. "It challenged us to deliver. Kipp and I might split off and write with other people during the day. Then we'd get together later that night and write our own songs. We were really living the songwriter's life."
The group's individual and collaborative efforts have resulted in an album that possesses the easy-rocking lilt of a modern classic. In a world awash in arty nihilism and trendy cynicism, Spin Art can be unashamedly honest, endearingly optimistic, even chivalrous, at times. Indeed, despite its romantic allusions, "The Man You Think I Am," is a breezy rocker penned after the birth of Kipp's son, Roman. With its plain-spoken lyrics about wanting to meet a loved one's high expectations, "The Man You Think I Am" is pure, uncut heroism, the sort of song you thought they didn't write anymore.
A similar affirmative energy animates all the songs featured on Spin Art. Co-written with Bruce Gaitsch (Madonna, Celine Dion), "Mary On My Mind" finds Michael Lennon wistfully recounting the courtship phase of his marriage. On the soulful "End of the World," Mark laments the inexorable decline of civilization, only to find himself redeemed by love. On "Garden Wall," a long-term relationship slowly falls into painful despair but there is still hope that "somewhere in the garden something grows." Even the group's interpretation of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" fits like a puzzle-piece within the context of the album. "We've been doing that song for years and years at our shows; we just never recorded it," says Mark. "Stevie Nicks used to come up and perform it with us. People have always asked us to record it, so it seemed like a fun thing to throw it on this album."
Appropriately enough, Spin Art concludes with "The Family Tree," an eloquent toast to family and the ties that bind. "In a sense, you could say that the album is bookended," says Kipp."The Man You Think I Am" starts off the record with a song about my son and having kids, while "The Family Tree" talks about the family, moving on and growing." The growth and maturity Kipp speaks of is apparent throughout Spin Art. The album allows fans to eavesdrop as the members of VENICE continue on their personal journeys. No doubt, listeners will see their own experiences reflected in the album's 13 soul-searching tracks.
More information can be seen at these websites:Venice Central
Venice Photo Album
vanguardrecords.com
The Dutch Venice Fansite
Venice -
Theme From The Class of '65"
"The first single"
The Tracks are: "Theme From The Class of '65" (1978) (Theme Song from the short-lived television show) & "Whatever Happened To the Class of 65?") (Theme From The Class of '65 & California Calling (B-Side).
Musicians on the Theme From The Class of "65" single: Kipp Lennon, Pat Lennon, Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon & others.
Available from ?/Original release year: 1978
Venice -
Do It Yourself
"Venice in their own"
The Tracks are: Someday Love (Ready For Ya), Me You're Playing With, It's Only January & Tears.
Musicians on the Do It Yourself album: Kipp Lennon, Pat Lennon, Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon & others.
Available from DB Productions/Original release year: 1986
Venice -
Venice
"2nd album"
The Tracks are: All My Life, Sacrifice the Fool, Mr. Lonely, Change In the Season, Kaylee, Pushed Her Too Far, Time, Ocean, People Laugh, Save the Legion, Hideaway Hill & Ball & Chain.
Musicians on the Venice album: Kipp Lennon, Pat Lennon, Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon & others.
Available from Modern/Atlantic Records/Original release year: 1990
Venice -
Garage Demos Part 1
"Rockin´ in the garage"
The Tracks are: Bad Timing Song, Rivers Never Run, Circle of Life, The Girl In 204, The Only Love I Had, Charm You, Shy Moon, Washington & Lincoln, Again, Long Fall, Comes It Now & Very Real.
Musicians on the Garage Demos Part 1 album: Kipp Lennon, Pat Lennon, Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon & others.
Available from Lucky Records/Original release year: 1995
Venice -
Garage Demos Part 2
"Still rockin´ in the garage"
The Tracks are: The Water, Bleeding, Circus In Town, Time On My Hands, Get Out, World Upon My Back, In July, Twenty Words Or Less, My Woman, I'll Be Drivin', My Own House, Hard Life & If I Were You.
Musicians on the Garage Demos Part 2 album: Kipp Lennon, Pat Lennon, Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon & others.
Available from Lucky Records/Original release year: 1995
Venice -
Born and Raised
"Fantastic album"
The Tracks are: That's the Way It Is, When I Get Over You, Never Coming Back, If I Were You, Cool Me Down, Bring On the Next One, Bad Timing Song, Starting Here Again, For A Kiss, Running Home, Rivers Never Run, Baby's Calling, Circus In Town, Time On My Hands, Oh Yeah Oh Well & We're Still Here.
Musicians on the Born and Raised album: Kipp Lennon, Pat Lennon, Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon & others.
Available from Vanguard Records/Original release year: 1997
Venice -
Spin Art
"New album from Venice"
The Tracks are: The Man You, Think I Am, Always, Garden Wall, Mary On My Mind, The Road To, Where You Are, End of the World, So Bad, More of a Miracle, Landslide, Poor You Poor Me, Poor Love, One Quiet Day, World Upon My Back & The Family Tree.
Musicians on the Spin Art album: Kipp Lennon, Pat Lennon, Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon & others.
Available from Vanguard Records/Original release year: 1999
Venice -
Christmas With Venice
"Limited Editon album from Venice"
The Tracks are: Away In A Manger, What Child In This?, The First Noel, Hark!, The Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard On High, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Joy To The World, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, O Come All Ye Faithful, Holy Night & O Christmas Tree.
Musicians on the Christmas With Venice album: Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon, Kipp Lennon & Pat Lennon.
Available from © Blue Note Records, Canada/Original release year: 1999
Venice -
(2) Meter Sessies
"Live album from Venice recorded in L.A. and Netherlands"
The Tracks are: The Road To Where You Are, Always, Never Coming Back, For A Dancer, For A Kiss, We´re Still Here, If I Were You, One Quiet Day, Landslide, Cool Me Down, Guinnevere, When I Get Over You, The Family Tree, End Of The World, Rivers Never Run, The Man You Think I Am & Woodstock (Secret Track).
Musicians on the Venice Live album: Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon, Kipp Lennon, Pat Lennon, Jackson Browne & David Crosby.
Available from © ZYX Music / Universal Music, Netherland/Original release year: 2000
Venice -
Welcome To The Rest Of Your Life
"New studioalbum from Venice"
The Tracks are: Think Again, Not Down Anymore, Sweet Aloha, Precious Stone, I'm Not Myself, Sun Inside, Blue Paint, Most Of Us, Languages Of The Heart, One Word & Tides.
Musicians on the Welcome To The Rest Of Your Life album: Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon, Kipp Lennon, Pat Lennon, Chris Horvath, John Vester, Alexis Sklarevski, Mark Harris, Matt Laug, Jamie Wollam, Scott Cargo, Jawiara Adams, Dion Turnquest, Terry Manning, Pete Valenzuela, Mike Brotzen & Joey Cathcart.
Available from © Sony Music/Original release year: 2002
Venice -
Pacific Standard Time
"Venice on pacific time"
The Tracks are: I´ll Keep My Fingers Crossed, Cotton Candy, Alive Again, Everybody´s Opium, Back To The Well, You And Me Doing Nothing, When Your Ship Comes In, Right Were We Left Off, Two Places At One Time, Blue Ocean Park Waltz, Don´t Worry Worry, All Or Nothing At All, Fifteen Presents, Pebble In A Pond (Karma´s Rewarded) & Happiness Is The Best Revenge.
Musicians on the Pacific Standard Time album: Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon, Kipp Lennon, Pat Lennon, Matt Laug, Rich Mangocaro, Chris Horvath, Mark Harris, Charles Bisharat, Nick Bult, Dann Gillen & Roy Weigand.
Available from © Flow Records/Original release year: 2004
Venice -
A Band Called Venice
"Best of Venice + bonus tracks"
The Tracks are: Think Again, Sweet Aloha, Precious Stone, For A Dancer, Right Where We Left Odd, Most Of Us, The Road To Where You Are, Unbreakable Heart, Guinevere, I'll Keep My Fingers Crossed, Welcome To The Rest Of Your Life, The Family Tree, Starting Here Again (Bonus Live Track), The Man You Think I Am (Bonus Live Track), If I Were You (Bonus Live Track), One Quiet Day (Bonus Live Track).
Musicians on the A Band Called Venice album: Kipp Lennon, Mark Lennon, Michael Lennon, Pat Lennon, Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Mark Harris, Alexis Sklarevski, Matt Laug, Dan Gillen, Nick Butt, Chris Havath, John Vester & Rich Mangicaro.
Available from © Switch Style Records, Japan/Original release year: 2006
Venice -
Amsterdam
"New release from Venice"
The Tracks are: Weight Has Bee Lifted, Rewind, It´s To Late For Me Now, Joey, Radio Game, Not Enough For You, Bittersweet Life, Ashes In The Snow, My Life Is Like A Movie, The Lost Weekend, The Romance That Never Was, Jenny & One More Song.
Musicians on the Amsterdam album: Kipp Lennon, Mark Lennon, Michael Lennon, Pat Lennon, Mark Harris, Nick Butt, Jamie Wollam and others.
Available from © Universal Music, Netherland/Original release year: 2006
Venice -
Garage Demos Part 3
"Other Stuff"
The Tracks are: In These Times, Lay Me Down, Something Else, The Mermaid Song, I Swear, Crazy In Love, When I Think Of You, Born With Hope, All Fall Together, Hot And Cold, The Times You Did Me Wrong, The Other Side, Take Me Far Away (Live), Never Gonna Be The Same & This Party´s Over.
Musicians on the Garage Demos Part 2 album: Kipp Lennon, Pat Lennon, Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon, Mark Harris, Scott Crago, Stephen McGrath, Spencer Campell, Randy Sharp, Monroe Jones, Paul Mirkovich & Michael Ruff
Available from 27th Ae Records/Original release year: 2007
Venice -
Good Evening
"A Night Of Live Acoustic Music"
The Tracks are: Always, Crazy In Love, So Bad, Shy Moon, Horse With No Name, The Family Tree, Starting Here Again, Back To The Well, More Of A Miracle, Rewind, One More Song, Evolve, One Less Someone, Things You Are & Pawn Shop.
Musicians on the Good Evening album: Kipp Lennon, Pat Lennon, Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon and others
Available from Flow Records/Original release year: 2008
Venice -
Electric Live And Amplified
"An evening with Venice"
The Tracks are: The Water, Bleeding, Circus in Town, My Woman, Pushed Her Too Far, Evolve, Things You Are, Baby's Calling, High So High, Very Real, My Own House, One Quiet Day, Think Again, All My Life & If I Were You.
Musicians on the Electric Live And Amplified album: Kipp Lennon, Pat Lennon, Michael Lennon, Mark Lennon and others
Available from Lennon Records/Original release year: 2009
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