Track Listing

01. Trade This Fear
02. Song for a Friend
03. The Falling Kind
04. Lover's Lie
05. Desire on Repeat
06. In the Quiet
07. It's All Happening on Broadway
08. Still Standing
09. Redemption Soon
10. Moments Rewound
11. Safe
12. Song Four, Side Two
13. Lover's Lie (Acoustic)

Review

Vedera’s entrance into the music world has, thus-far, relied largely on floating just under the radar despite their strong connections with California alt-rockers Thrice. True, Thrice are big fans and friends of the band and have helped unveil them. However, similarities in their style of music couldn't be any more different; Vedera sound like a cross between Denali and Eisley.

Lead vocalist Kristen May delivers a slightly higher pitched tone than the afore mentioned bands, but does a great job at covering the peaks and valleys that Vedera employ throughout their debut, thirteen track LP The Weight of an Empty Room. “Trade This Fear” starts the album off with the most rock infused song to be found on the album that instantly showcases May’s range and ability to dig deep into her lungs' capacity for gut wrenching delivery when needed.

Beyond track one, the album slows the pace down considerably and churns out twelve more tracks that are extremely easy on the ears and are perfect for those mellow and engaging moments where guitar melodies are meant to imply dream-like states. Unlike most other bands in the genre that could be called similiar, Vedera place a lot more emphasis on the musical presentation than anyone else. "Moments Rewound" is led by the rythmic pounding of Jason Douglas on bass, while "Safe" showcases Drew Little's talent behind the kit. Each song is intricately balanced to play into the strengths of Vedera and in particular, to match Kristen May note for note. What's left by the time "Lover's Lie" closes out the album is one of the most harmonious, musically enhanced, and solid breakthrough albums of the year.

Review by Jason Schleweis

4 out of 5