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Lemuria

Get Better
2008
Asian Man

Lemuria - Get Better (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Bryne
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Published on March 4th 2008

What a debut. I know, I know, Lemuria has been around a while and have quite a few releases under their belt (take that, snarky commenters), but Get Better, their full-length debut for Asian Man Records, will be their coming out party. Like, if Lemuria was LeBron James, Get Better would their Game 5 of the 2006-07 Eastern Conference Finals. Now that I’ve alienated every non-sports fan reading this, let me can the jock talk and get to what’s pertinent -- how the record actually sounds.

With Get Better, Lemuria channel the best moments of mid-`90s alternative and emo, and perhaps unintentionally pay homage to bands like Rainer Maria and Discount. Intentional or not, it sounds awesome and ought to be a welcome addition to the library of any fan of those bands. The vocal harmonies are earnest and catchy. The guitar work creates palpable tension with crunches and mutes in the appropriate places. And hot damn, “Pants” is such a great opening track.

The band’s biggest strength sonically are their dual vocalists, Sheena Ozzella and Alexander Kerns. Their styles reside on opposite ends of the spectrum -- Ozzella’s higher, cheerful delivery directly contrasts Kerns’s subdued, monotone voice. Even with that said, they sound great when they share vocal duties, such as on the fantastic “Yesterday’s Lunch” and “Hawaiian T-Shirt,” with a superb one-line chorus ("But every funny guy has a serious side") that really showcases the point I’m attempting to drive home.

There’s absolutely no reason whatsoever this band can’t be huge. They’ve crafted a sound that can be enjoyed not only by discriminating, snooty bloggers such as myself, but by people whose listening habits include rocking out (or doing whatever it is they do) to bands like Paramore (don‘t let that reference deter you from checking out this band and record). Seriously. Mass appeal, yo. Get Better is totally sweet. Not sweet as in awesome, even though it is awesome -- I’m talkin’ sweet in the old-fashioned way. Lemuria have created one of the best albums of this young year, and easily the best debut full-length in 2008 thus far.

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Posted by Banger on 2009-04-24 12:35:09
My Score:

This album was good on the first listen and has grown on me more and more over the past year.

Posted by horcruxes on 2008-08-07 03:19:42
My Score:

i have a hard time finding any faults with this record.
it's good from start to finish. and i have a hard time coming to terms with its end, it's constantly on repeat.

Posted by olddogsneverdie on 2008-07-07 17:09:49

i completely agree with televisioneyes on this one.
This record just speaks to me somehow. I don't usually like music like this but for some reason its just awesome.
I checked these guys out from a friend's recommendation on myspace and Im completely glad that I did. I really wish I could have gone to the asian man tour show and seen these guys live.
"yesterday's lunch" and "get some sleep" just might be my top 2 tracks of the year

Posted by Hey_Asshole on 2008-04-21 13:03:29

in the almost 2 months since my last comment on this, i finally understand the draw of this band.

i enjoy them

Posted by ifyoumakeit on 2008-03-07 11:06:17

These are great people. I'm excited that they finally a full length out and will be touring with some awesome bands.

http://www.ifyoumakeit.com/author/lemuria/
Videos of Pants, How Could Anyone Understand a Turtle? and The Origamists

Posted by plaidical on 2008-03-07 01:18:02
My Score:

first heard them on their split with Kind of Like Spitting. reminds me of Rainer Maria - espeicially Length Away. in a very good sorta way

Posted by DickAround on 2008-03-06 01:53:15
My Score:

Yet another band I've come to know thanks to myspace. Not putting it against them but I'm rather grateful they sent a message asking to be added and what not beforehand. Long live Lemuria! I hope for nothing but the best for this band. Score's for my brown nosery.

Posted by BJR on 2008-03-05 17:40:10

This album is amazing. I've had it for a while and still when I hear Wardrobe or Yesterday's Lunch it sends chills down my spine. This will be the record of this year. No challenge.

Posted by baseball on 2008-03-04 20:11:32

I thought the same thing as Dante at first with this album. You'll grow to love it though, it just fits. I didn't love this album until at least 5-7 listens.

Posted by televisioneyes on 2008-03-04 19:15:34
My Score:

dante,
oddly enough...that's exactly what i love about lemuria. they don't force any emotions...they just tell it how it is. everything sounds so honest to me.

Posted by Hey_Asshole on 2008-03-04 18:53:56

i feel like i am supposed to like this band, but i just can not get into it.

are they at least good live?

Posted by Dante3000 on 2008-03-04 18:45:14

So I'm listening to this and it's not bad. It's interesting, and well written but the vocals lose me. Can the people singing sound any less interested? I can't believe you could possibly be excited to go up everyday and sing with so little emotion. It's like talking with a melody.

It's not bad but some projection would really help.
-Dante

Posted by hubitcherkokov on 2008-03-04 17:44:56

Still waiting to get this and my "Goddamnit" reissues. Their singles collection is really great.

Posted by banal242 on 2008-03-04 16:41:23

This is their first effort that really captured my attention. Great album.

Posted by Rastid on 2008-03-04 14:37:11
My Score:

the first song is really good, but then i got bored pretty quickly. not terrible, but there are like 100 better pop punk bands, imo

Posted by wentz_equals_death on 2008-03-04 14:19:09

did someone say hot pants?

Posted by televisioneyes on 2008-03-04 12:35:10
My Score:

Without a doubt this is the best album that I have heard in years. Yesterday's Lunch has the best and most effective lyrics from any band I've heard in a decade.

Fucking outstanding!

Posted by AphasiacIIc on 2008-03-04 11:59:27
My Score:

such utter shit.

Posted by Nap on 2008-03-04 10:47:08
My Score:

Great album
I just wish it could be more pretentious

Posted by baseball on 2008-03-04 10:08:49
My Score:

First Lemuria release I could really get into (well, other than the Ergs! split).

This is just one of those bands where if you break them down individually with the music, lyrics (silly, but part of the appeal), and vocal melodies, there's nothing that special going on. But put it together and it meshes incredibly well.

A great record, top to bottom. I'll be surprised if this isn't a break out album for them.

Posted by pinkerton on 2008-03-04 08:08:27

i really enjoy this record.

problem is i dont wanna tell anybody about it because some of it is uber-cheese with the lyrics.

get past that and its a fun, solid record.

Posted by Torgo on 2008-03-04 03:22:22
My Score:

score is for the "jock talk"

Posted by that_band_changed_my_life on 2008-03-04 01:58:36
My Score:

seriously, this record is amazing. a turkey attacked me while i was listening to it. no joke.

Posted by danperrone on 2008-03-04 00:54:11
My Score:

i can't pinpoint exactly why this album is so great. it's indie, pop, rock, emo, everything. they use neat time signatures that you wouldn't expect to hear in this kind of music. it's edgy, but it's also so, so sweet. it's also very to the point, and each song is a winner, with the exception of maybe "buzz". still, wow. killer album!

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