bermudas - sour

​bermudas

Sour 
self-released; 2016

4.0 out of 5

By Matt Jensen
​

Dennielle Russ (vocals/guitar), Chris Kleinman (drums/percussion) and Charity Lytle (bass/synth) are Bermudas. To be blunt the band has improved by leaps and bounds when comparing their 2014 release Visit with their 2016 release Sour. The most obvious aspect is that the production is much better and yes it makes a big difference in the way the songs are experienced. I would also say the songs build a more original sound for the band and feel more focused. 

Two groups that came to mind were Sleater Kinney and The Savages and it doesn't completely have to do with the female vocals. The music contains often simple yet very inventive riffs. They are just a little off-kilter and the out of the box experimentation pays off.

You can hear exactly what I’m talking about in the first track after the intro entitled “Get The Hell Out”. The interplay between the guitar strings is pure ear candy and Russ certainly has punk sensibility in her voice. “Get The Hell Out” isn’t even two-minutes long but not a second is wasted. 

“Bullet Dodge” takes off with some aggressive distorted guitars and does a sweet tempo switch in the middle sounding closer to Black Sabbath. They rock out hard on this track and I was enjoying every minute of it. I haven’t even mentioned the lyrics which avoid cliches and tropes. She sings, “Blessed with blood glazed calves / My heads thinking more clearly now that you’re in my past.” The band continues to impress with the arguable highlight entitled “Growing Dirt” and closer “Chew.”

​Bermudas is one of those bands that sounds better than what you have on paper. There is a chemistry between the three members and I think that’s undeniable when you listen to their songs. More importantly even if they haven't discussed it all three members are riding a similar wavelength which makes the songs sound cohesive and connected.

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