Get Better

Buffalo, New York Lemuria’s debut album recalls the straight-forward punk-pop of the ‘90s before ‘emo’ and its somnambulant smoothness removed the rough edges and took expressing one’s emotions to the point of self-parody. There’s no room here for feeling sorry for yourself. This is pick-yourself-up-by-your-own-bass-strings punk rock, catchy and melodic as the guitarist churns chords in loud, distorted glee. “Dog” might at first look read like diary poetry, but the song’s inner spirit transforms any self-pity into a pure expression of sarcasm and spite. Led by guitarist Sheena Ozzella and drummer Alexander Kerns, who split the singing and songwriting duties, Lemuria have received comparisons to the Blake Babies’ Juliana Hatfield and Beat Happening’s Calvin Johnson, fair suggestions that only begin to hint at the group’s natural abilities. The balance of Ozzella’s sweet vocals and her crunchy guitar chords are what punk rock was intended for. The album’s 12 songs cruise the express lane, playing off each other and completing their tale in less than a half-hour. No wasted notes. Just a general feeling of good will.