There’s an alchemy that some records have that can’t be ignored, a cohesive sound that is undeniably in accord with the band or artist’s vision of what they want to present themselves as. With Sand & Lines, Venice Is Sinking have achieved that goal. by crafting an album that is equal parts Low, Elliott Smith, and Iron & Wine. It’s a rich, sonically decadent album that’s aching and beautiful to hear unfold.
Recorded in a now demolished Georgia Theatre over the course of four days, there is an underlying sadness to every track. Using only two microphones, the arrangements back the stark naked honesty of singer, Daniel Lawson’s voice and lyrics. Leaning heavily on the slower side musically, the album engulfs you, simultaneously serving as background music and an album that holds you in the palm of its hand. It may not be exactly slowcore, but it’s just as lush any of those records that are.
Some may find the lack of experimentation or the crafting of ambitious folk pop songs to be detrimental, but in fact, it’s almost miraculous that the band can do so much with their self imposed constraints. The songs create an album that stands up as a work of integrity. The album starts off slowly and each song helps to build to a satisfying finale. It may have only been recorded in four days, but Sand & Lines echoes the experience of so much more.
In A Word: Beautiful
