Artist: Lemuria
Album: Get Better
Label: Asian Man
Release Date: 2/26/2008
Rating: 9/10
It doesn’t get much better than Lemuria’s latest effort, the full length “Get Better.” Lemuria is kind of a hard band to classify, really. They aren’t necessarily a punk band or just a pop-rock band. They really do wind up standing on their own two legs, and they do so comfortably.
Each of the band members sings, with lead singer Sheena Ozzella handling the majority of the vocal duties. However, her voice melds so perfectly the male counter-parts (Jason Draper/bass, and Alexander Kerns/drums respectively,) that it makes each song so easy to get lost in.
For the majority of this album, Lemuria’s strong ear for strong musicianship becomes evident when you realize that while they are all very proficient songwriters, and singers they recognize that sometimes less is so much more. And it’s such a welcoming thing to witness, because a lot of the time I find myself becoming immersed in the textures of Ozzella’s amazing voice accompanied by Draper’s powerful bass lines, and Kern’s precise drumming.
Don’t miss this release. Really, do yourself a favor and support it. It’s completely engaging and textured, and I can’t help but feel that after hearing Sheena Ozzella’s stellar voice you’ll be convinced of the fact that Lemuria ain’t nothing to fuck with.
Aaron Hale (Aaron@racketmag.com)