Most recently, there comes a band called Dead Sara; a band
who sound like they could have not only made music in the early/mid 1990’s, but
also could have competed with the Soundgardens and the Cranberries of the
decade. At the same time, they completely compete with any rock band out today,
sounding virtually nothing like any other popular recording rock band around.
With their eponymous debut (Released in April of 2012 in USA
and November 2012 in Canada) Dead Sara pile on song after song after song of
pure energy, emotion and talent. It is that rare album where barely any 2 songs
sound the same.
Fronted by the vocal powerhouse that is Emily Armstrong, of whom,
like so many great female singers, has a voice like absolutely no one else
(refer to Lzzy Hale of Halestorm or Maria Brink of In This Moment to name very
few of many examples). With what sounds like complete ease, Emily can go from a
completely beautiful and melodic voice, and then change to an almost completely
different person, with a voice almost as strong as a lot of male vocalists.
Her soft voice blossoms on songs such as Dear Love, Face
To Face and ESPECIALLY the albums final track Sorry For It All. The polar
opposite to these songs however would be Monumental Holiday and I Said You
Were Lucky, both songs make your vocal chords bleed by just thinking of
attempting to sing them.
Bass player Chris Null does what so few bass players can say
they’ve done on an alternative rock album, and that is the fact that he stands
out flawlessly on every song, which is why he gets a spotlight in this review.
His bass playing is a key part in the albums well placed opening track
Whispers & Ashes and the mellow Face To Face. To help add to this
dynamic rhythm section is drummer Sean Friday, a self taught drummer, and thank
goodness he is because he bashes those skins in a way no instructor could ever
teach!
Last but never least is Lead Guitarist Siouxsie Medley. This
album would be nothing without her powerful psychedelic tone and
too-good-to-be-new guitar riffs. Her guitar playing stands out on every single
track. She may not shred the hell out of the six strings but you won’t even
notice that until you’ve already fallen in love with her. Her riffs are what
make songs such as We Are What You Say and Test On My Patience the upbeat
motivational songs that they are. But it’s the heart pounding, practically
delta blues track Timed Blues that her guitar playing comes out in absolute
full swing. Would have made the late great Bukka White proud.
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT
“Weatherman”
– The first single off of an album is usually curiously chosen. It’s often not
even close to the best track off the album. In this case, however, the first
single, Weatherman, does the best job of summing up the album in a nutshell.
All 4 members come out swinging their instruments at full blast. With a killer
guitar riff, a drum set that somehow manages to stay in one piece despite all
the bashing, a bass riff that glues the song together and a singing/screaming
match between Emily and herself, this is the first song every listener should
check out.
FINAL RATING
9 (Out of 10)
Track List:
1.
|
"Whispers & Ashes"
|
3:51
|
2.
|
"We Are What You Say"
|
3:04
|
3.
|
"Weatherman"
|
4:21
|
4.
|
"Dear Love"
|
4:18
|
5.
|
"Monumental Holiday"
|
2:41
|
6.
|
"I Said You Were Lucky"
|
3:55
|
7.
|
"Face To Face"
|
4:30
|
8.
|
"Test On My Patience"
|
3:11
|
9.
|
"Timed Blues"
|
3:38
|
10.
|
"Lemon Scent"
|
4:22
|
11.
|
"Sorry For It All"
|
4:48
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