Venice May – 'Illusion Is Inevitable' Album Review

Tracklist:

1. A Mouse And A Snake

2. Only I Will Remain

3. Hiding Place

4. Thinning Ice

5. Mr & Misadventure

6. Limerence

7. Disequilibrium

8. Down That Alley

9. One Way Out

10. Devil's Lap

11. The Nerve

12. XYZ

13. In The Presence Of A Ghost

Listening to this album encourages the listener to play a game of spot the influences, there’s lot here that almost sounds familiar but not quite, but, and this is the important part, Venice May are not a tribute act they are unique and special.

All the influences which they have clearly taken on board have been merged into something at times beautiful, at times challenging but never less than excellent.

Often when you hear something for the first time you get virtually everything there is to get out of it, these songs reward repeated play as you slowly sink in and realise that there are new levels with every play, the complexity and layering of some of these songs shows the effort and love that has gone into them.

Some of these songs feel like they’ve always been in your brain and you’re only just remembering them, which is a unique gift for a band to have. I kept thinking I know this song only to realise it was new and that I wish I’d always known it.

This is fundamentally music which is on the quieter side of Rock, with plenty of trippy, ethereal, aspects to it, it didn’t make me want to get up and dance, which those who have seen me dance will say is a good thing, but this album did make me want to stop, listen and absorb it.

If you’re looking for something a little bit different but still, in some ways, familiar, try Venice May, I don’t think you’ll regret it.