Venice Is Sinking "Azar" (One Percent Press, 2009)

Interesting and atmospheric orchestral dream pop

A five piece from Athens, Georgia, Venice Is Sinking have followed up their 2006 debut Sorry About the Flowers with Azar, an album perhaps influenced by uncertainty over the band's survival amid geographical dispersal and relationship breakdown in the intervening years.

With this release, the band's stated aim was to deepen the focus and widen the musical palette of their music. There is something in the latter analogy, as the album does have almost visual properties, the opener "Azar One" having an expansive, cinematic quality evocative of wide open spaces, a feeling which continues throughout. This instrumental opening is part of a recurring refrain, with melodic pop songs such as "Ryan's Song" and the jubilant, Flaming Lips-reminiscent "Okay" in between. "Azar Two"'s instrumental interlude brings the dream theme back, and leads seamlessly into what the press release describes rather aptly as the "David Lynch prom theme" of "Wetlands Dancehall".

The album hangs together well, united in sound and concept, and lifted by the engaging harmonies of singers Daniel Lawson and Karolyn Troupe, who plays her main instrument - the viola - to beautiful effect. By the time the final track "Charm City" comes in, I was well won over; it's a lovely song which confirms the listener was right to be drawn into this colourful and delicate record.

Date review added:  Friday, February 27, 2009
Reviewer:  Jenny Higham
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  Band website