EMA: Past Life Martyred Saints

EMA
Past Life Martyred Saints
Souterrain Transmissions Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: The debut from EMA contains a slow burning intensity that makes it hard to put away but easy to turn up!

Album Review:
EMA is the new project from ex-Gowns singer/guitarist Erika M. Anderson and her debut record, Past Life Martyred Saints, possesses a quiet intensity that will win you over within the first minute of the 7 minute opening track "The Grey Ship". Album highlight and second track "California", features Anderson's steady emotional out pour about the pitfalls of relationships over the eerie but yet sophisticated musical backdrop that simply sounds like it closes in around you as the song moves forward. Contained within the powerful lyrics, EMA has an exuberant amount of confidence powering her voice that can roar when it needs to, like on the somewhat distorted "Milkman" or the almost scary but great "Butterfly Knife". The other tracks here utilize a similar formula, as the vocals stay softer, while Anderson works out her plan of attack, but lets the rhythms build excitement and push each track to the next level. EMA provides a very unique listen on Past Life Martyred Saints, that not only makes it special but stellar. EMA successfully builds walls of sound around her in and out vocals, while still allowing the guitar to take the lead on many of these 9 tracks. Past Life Martyred Saints is a debut record that EMA's future work will always be compared to and most certainly is one of the top releases this year!

Key Tracks: "California", "Milkman", "Butterfly Knife"

Bands With Similar Fire:
PJ Harvey
Mary Timony
Patti Smith

EMA Website
EMA Facebook
Souterrain Transmissions Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony