Centerfuse.net Review for Lemuria "Get Better"

Lemuria "Get Better", reviewed by joethebone on January 23, 2008 (Views: 773)

I've been wondering for a while how well Lemuria would pull off their first full length. They've had an incredibly strong run of 7"s, comp tracks, and one side of a split LP, but the debut LP would be what would really make or break them. Thankfully, this record goes beyond even the high expectations I had. At first, I was a little wary of the slower tempo the first few songs have. It made it seem like they might've lost some of the energy that made them great. The same intensity is there, though, just in a different way. And they do still rock out just as much as before, it just takes a few tracks to get there.

Lemuria play something close to what would be called "emo" in the mid-90s. They make great use of male/female vocals, and bring to mind bands like Rainer Maria or Jejune mixed with some pop punk and some straight rock and roll. They've really worked out their harmonies to a level they never quite achieved before. All the instrumentation is top notch as well, but what sets them head and shoulders above most bands is guitarist/singer Sheena Ozzella's voice. She can convey emotion in just a handful of lyrics that most singers can't reach in a whole song (see "Lipstick" and "Length Away"). One turn of a phrase can be either exhilarating or heartbreaking.

Even with a generally slower feel to most of the songs, none get too indulgent or long-winded. The whole record flows together like one huge piece of music, with each song barely taking time to breathe before the next starts. Most of the more powerful rock songs come on the B side, with the one-two punch of "Dog" and "Dogs" as the centerpiece. This is clearly meant to be taken in as a whole, and it's an extremely rewarding listen. I find something new to love every time. This is the first really great record of 2008.

User Comments
seanandpatrick Agree (Jan 24 - 10:47 AM)	Re: Lemuria "Get Better"
	awesome record! i love the way it flows. this record is going to be one of the best this year. don't sleep on it, assholes.
suburbanxcore Half agree (Jan 24 - 10:59 AM)	Re: Lemuria "Get Better"
	I'll have to check this band out and see what all the hype's about.
Nick_Again Agree (Jan 24 - 12:26 PM)	Re: Lemuria "Get Better"
	100% agree. Can't stop listening to this record. I need to see this band live very soon.
mean_and_average Agree (Jan 24 - 12:28 PM)	Re: Lemuria "Get Better"
	fantastic record.
afireinside Agree (Jan 24 - 12:51 PM)	Re: Lemuria "Get Better"
	The keyboard parts in lipstick are incredible. I get am still getting shivers when I listen to Dog. It's pretty much got everything I want out of a record these days.
preemptive_strike Half agree (Jan 24 - 2:17 PM)	Re: Lemuria "Get Better"
	kind of dig this. i was worried this was going to be some kind of mindless super upbeat stuff, glad its not.
blackout Agree (Jan 28 - 10:58 AM)	Re: Lemuria "Get Better"
	soo good! i feel like its a short record though, i turn it on and before i know it, its over!
feelitclosingin Agree (Jan 29 - 12:30 AM)	Re: Lemuria "Get Better"
	you got it man. i wish it was a little bit longer..
imapirate Agree (Jan 30 - 8:20 AM)	Re: Lemuria "Get Better"
	love the record the guy singer still sounds a bit odd
suburbanxcore Agree (Jan 30 - 6:47 PM)	Re: Lemuria "Get Better"
	I finally got around to really digesting this and I really like it.

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