It’s refreshing to hear a band doing something different and doing it well. The Venetia Fair, from Boston, MA, is one of those bands that take a brazen step in a new direction and they’re succeeding.

The band’s second full-length, Every Sick, Disgusting Thought We’ve Got In Our Brain, is a testament of their originality and theatrical sensationalism. Their music is wild and you might not have any idea what’s happening, but every song on the new album is put together and polished. It’s a strange dichotomy of chaos and well thought out ideas.

The Circus, The Venetia Fair’s debut album, is a concept album of sorts, about, you guessed it, a crazy circus. Their next release, an EP titled The Pits, is a good collection of 5 songs (including a cover of You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch) that leaves you wanting more. We finally got that ‘more’ we were waiting for with Every Sick, Disgusting Thought We’ve Got In Our Brain.

Every Sick, Disgusting Thought We’ve Got In Our Brain has the brand’s signature craziness and originality, but also shows growth at the same time. It’s hard to choose a band that The Venetia Fair sounds like, but aspects of the music is reminiscent of other bands. The album kicks off with horns that remind me of Monty Are I. The lyrics are quick like You, Me and Everyone We Know or newcomers Squid The Whale. The Venetia Fair handles theatrics and concept albums like Forgive Durden. They’re not afraid to head into new territories, much like Panic! At The Disco. Vocalist Benny Santoro sometimes reminds me of older releases from Bert McCracken of The Used or Gerard Way or My Chemical Romance with a similar singing style and haunting laughs, especially with his quick staccato singing.

“Too Late To Dream” kicks of the album with uncontrollable energy that carries on throughout the 13 tracks. The short, quick lyrics continue to “The Day I Set Them Free,” a carnival-esque standout. The keys played by Joe Occhiuti mixed with Benny’s growling lyrics and “oh oh oh’s” pull you in.

“We Used To Worship The Moon” and “The Saints Of Gomorrah” will get stuck in your head for hours after you listen to them. Don’t say you haven’t been warned. Both songs have infectious repetitive choruses that you won’t be able to shake. “We Used To Worship The Moon” has some of the best lyrical work on the album from Benny - you’ll be captivated as soon as the opening verse starts with his dark, slightly creepy tone. This song also includes the lyrics that became the album title.

“The Dirt Won’t Keep Your Secrets” includes a slower verse is accented by slow piano, then picks up into the chorus. It shows off what The Venetia Fair can do - It’s not all so very out there. “Only In The Morning” kicks off slowly, too, but picks up with crazy piano and horns and Benny’s singing. Benny really could be the crazy ringleader from The Circus with his dramatic singing and vocal work. These two songs show a different side of the band and show off some of their storytelling ability that they perfected with The Circus.

The album wraps up with “I Could End My Search Tonight,” which includes music that reminds me a bit of their cover of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”. From the music to the singing to the lyrics, it’s a great closing track. “I Could End My Search Tonight” sounds like a song of longing, begging and wanting and they do an excellent job of conveying these emotions.

Every song stands out and has an energy that can’t be contained in the most Venetia Fair way possible. It’s over the top, but works. It’s crazy, dramatic and exaggerated, but only in the best way. From beginning to end, you’ll wonder how Benny, Joe, Mr. Chark (guitar), Mike Abiuso (bass) and Chris Constantino (drums) make this work, but you’ll be humming along the whole time.

All in all, Every Sick, Disgusting Thought We’ve Got In Our Brain has a very similar sound to their earlier releases. But whereas The Circus sounds all over the place - in a good way, of course - Every Sick, Disgusting Thought We’ve Got In Our Brain is more put together and polished. If you haven’t checked out The Venetia Fair yet, pick up their discography and enjoy!