The Vents - Venus Again (1997)

Who really knows who this band? After one CD, they made a fat splash to obscurity; but "Venus Again" rocks with a vengence. This is one of those little nuggets that you'll want to bag while you can still find it. The opener "One Way Ticket" thunders with Devin Powers' hot guitar & the stutter-rock delivery on the chorus, "Do you feel a little red? Are you outta your head? Are you outta your heaven -- heaven -- heaven?" "World Is Crackin'" has guitar crunches galore. "Undeniable True" has airy Byrds-like harmonies over a U2-like electric storm of guitar. Vents drench bubbly pop vocals over heavy theosophic lyrics on "Wash Your Own Soul," "I don't need no Bible; I don't need no holy rollers; I knew a priest once; he was a very bad man; went to Catholic school, but they kicked me out, they said, 'Son you can't stay if you got that doubt.'" They repeat the tune with a quieter version as the bonus track 13. "The Fence" is another excellent track with a catchy pop chorus, "Oh I ain't lonely, I just wanna find a way to get over that fence." "Way of the World" is a classic track, essential listening, with its weeping George Harrison-like lead guitar submerged underneath Pat Wilsey's pulsing bass and Devin's yearning weary vocals, "Lies find a home inside the heart with no place." Guitars blister as they snake slowly through "Things She Does" with a dreamy John Lennon-like vocal. The title track is a beautiful pop melody with a Lennonesque vocal, "If I ever find Venus again, gonna dance right thru the fields, hold on tight to her dress." While obscure, this little gem is so wonderful, I'd hate for you to miss it! Enjoy!~ By Lee Armstrong