Album Review: Dead Sara - S/T

Los Angeles has churned out a fair number of prolific musicians in the time since its establishment, but despite the diversity and strong alternative scenes the west coast has developed, the City of Angels may do well to go weak at the knees for its latest spawn.

The vocal prowess in this record is really difficult to dismiss. From the start of opening track "Whispers and Ashes" it’s clear that there is an overwhelming talent brewing in each ear, and boy is it good to get hit in the face with that right away. The range and power of Emily Armstrong is truly undeniable and the guitars that bend the song’s spine produce both strong supports for the musical skeleton and backbreaking solos.

It would be a leap to assume that Dead Sara sounds like nothing else on earth, but it’s a difficult thought to suppress. There is rarely such an infusion of range and power in alternative rock, especially in regards to female-fronted bands, but that’s not to say that the other members are overshadowed by vocals that do gritty just as well as they do operatic. The rhythm section is a solid mixture of strong compliments and overwhelming individuality. The drums are especially impressive, and even when Sean Friday’s percussion talents are flaunted not a beat is lost.

It’s obvious there’s a lot of good chemistry in this band, at least instrumentally, and for the band’s most well-known song: the riff-tastic "Weatherman.". It’s hard to imagine that there’s a person on earth who can listen without tapping their feet, if not full-on head banging.

There are hat tips to Skunk Anansie, and The Mars Volta, but those are the only two bands that really come close to Dead Sara in both enthusiasm and style; not to mention their shared set precedent for innovation.

In brief, this is your new favorite band.

5/5

Dead Sara's debut album is out now.

Edward Strickson