Spirit of the West

Vancouver's Spirit of the West created some of the most energetic folk-rock of the 1990s, with songs which could range from adult alternative rockers to straight-up madrigals. The band was centered on songwriters Geoffrey Kelly and John Mann, and built up a following during the '80s before inking with Warner Bros. at the end of the decade. While something of a radio force in its homeland of Canada, the sprawling act has only occasionally crossed over in the States, most notably with the minor modern rock hit "If Venice Is Sinking..." ~ Jason Thurston