Album Review: Girl In A Coma ‘Both Before I’m Gone’

By: Mozzer | in: Music |

Girl in a Coma

San Antonio, TX is known for Spurs Basketball, The Alamo, and Ozzy Osbourne urinating on said Alamo back in ‘82. What the city is not known for is the local music scene, and that makes the success of this band all the more remarkable.

Girl In A Coma is Nina Diaz on lead vocals and guitar, sister Phanie Diaz Drums, and rounded out with long-time friend Jenn Alva on bass. Formed in 2001, the girls have toured extensively, recorded a demo with Boz Boorer, and met Joan Jett on Sí TV’s ‘Jammin‘. Jett liked them enough to sign them to her Blackheart Records label. Their debut CD, Both Before I’m Gone was released in May. With that’s been accomplished, it’s amazing to learn that Nina is only 19 years of age.

Girl in a Coma: Their Cell

If comparisons must be made, Nina’s voice sounds like Chrissie Hynde and Karen O accented with Morrissey’s signature vocal inflections and flourish. The band, as a whole, is tight and reminiscent of The Pretenders, Radiohead, and The Pixies. Girl In a Coma deftly alternates from rocking out to retreating into a somber melody, sometimes in the same song. Mid-song tempo changes and bridges that never return were some of the other surprises I found.

Girl in a Coma

And on to my favorite tracks… “Clumsy Sky” opens with a soft intro before the furniture gets kicked over and the girls let loose. Lots of fun to be had with that one. “I’ll Ask Him” is moderate rocker and they switch into a higher gear and back down again. It reminds me of The Smiths’ “Miserable Lie”. ‘Their Cell’ (a recently featured Song of the week) is a gentle tune of loss and longing with Nina’s emotive vocals in fine form. The stand-out track, however, is “Road To Home”; It plays almost like a lullaby with guitars. Diaz croons and speaks as if she’s sharing a secret with you and no one else. I can’t recommend this song enough.

The Verdict: Girl In A Coma largely sticks with the rock formula and yet manages to infuse their own distinctive style. The band exhibits a range of moods and melody, and is primed for a much deserved mainstream break. Pick up the CD or download from iTunes.

Clumsy Sky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0gJ5iiEBp0

Official Site

Girl In A Coma on MySpace

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Posted on September 22, 2007