Fennesz :: Venice 20 – 20th Anniversary Edition (Touch)

Venice is an album that continues to work extremely well, even after 20 years. The combination of lighter-sounding loops with sounds that are more distorted results in a complexity of tone and texture as this remastered version emphasizes.

A sense of gentle, solitary transcendence

The 20th anniversary re-issue of Fennesz‘s best-selling Venice, originally released in 2004, is now available as a deluxe version remastered by Denis Blackham, with new and extra tracks not on the previous CD or vinyl versions. Included in the DVD-format edition is a booklet with texts by Fennesz himself, Denis Blackham & Jon Wozencroft, with unseen photographs from the original 2004 sessions. The booklet also reproduces David Sylvian’s original handwritten lyrics for “Transit.” This “stunning collaboration with David Sylvian continues where their fantastic duo track on Sylvian’s album Blemish left off. Situated directly in the middle of a mostly subdued listening experience, “Transit” literally bursts out of the speakers accentuating the album’s more pop-like characteristics as well as its more restrained moments.”

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I really enjoyed re-listening to Christian Fennesz’ 20th Anniversary Edition of Venice. Most tracks are uncomplicated in that they are seemingly made from only a few sonic layers. Through this simplicity, significant effects are achieved. Loops of granulated static and tonal instrumental sounds create serene, sentimental compositions. Listening, I feel like I am resting in a boat in Venice as it bobs back and forth in the current.

The track, “The Other Face” begins with a layer of noise and a guitar loop that resembles a sonic Polaroid. The loops cycle at tempos that are off from one another, resulting in a trippy vibe. The track sounds like ripples on the surface of water. There may have been real-time processing added, especially in terms of filters, volume, length of loops, and reverberation. At 2:15, the static ends and the tonal loop continues. This loop fades into more loops, particularly of electric guitar and voice, which in time fade gradually out.

“Tree” starts out with a wind-like loop, and an acoustic guitar part which is played very calmly. The wind loop might be a reversed and filtered guitar tone—the acoustic guitar part continues placidly developing. Live effects changes add complexity, as particularly the reverberant qualities are deepened. The loops and guitar flow across and through one another tidally. The guitar part fades and the wind loop slowly cycles on and fades out.

“The Point Of It All” opens with flowing sounds of distant winds and resonant guitar. Quiet, wailing git parts are introduced, sounding like a church organ in the distance. The guitars swell, and then shift into abstraction. A gritty, organic guitar sound is played, which is mindful of human imperfection and the reality of living in a material body. The piece continues as abstract, somewhat sacred, and organic loops intermingle. A strong string tone fades in. The gritty guitar sound is played again, and a peaceful section emerges, made of abstract, bobbing tones. An acoustic guitar part is heard, and interacts nicely with the other loops. The piece conveys a sense of gentle, solitary transcendence, as the listener gradually falls in love with life, with all of its sad and beautiful qualities.

Venice is an album that continues to work extremely well, even after 20 years. The combination of lighter-sounding loops with sounds that are more distorted results in a complexity of tone and texture as this remastered version emphasizes. The moods are subtle, sentimental, nostalgic, and bittersweet. Each piece makes a short memory, and in doing so, becomes unforgettable. Venice is yet again a substantial album that will long persist in a listener’s mind, and 20 years later, still feels just as integral as it was upon initial release.

“Fennesz uses guitar and computer to create shimmering, swirling electronic sound of enormous range and complex musicality. His lush and luminant compositions are anything but sterile computer experiments. They resemble sensitive, telescopic recordings of rainforest insect life or natural atmospheric occurrences, an inherent naturalism permeating each piece. He lives and works in Vienna.”

“Austrian guitarist, composer, and electronic musician Christian Fennesz is recognized as the key figure and one of the most distinctive voices of electronic music today. His wide international reputation has been consolidated through his substantial overall contribution to new musical expression.”

All tracks written, mixed and produced by Christian Fennesz
Mastered by Denis Blackham
Photography and design by Jon Wozencroft

Venice 20 – 20th Anniversary Edition is available on Touch August 23, 2024.

Fennesz :: Venice (Touch, CD)