From now on Dallas will be worldly known not only because of its famous Arts District or the International Airport, the Kalita Humphreys Theater designed by Frank Lloyd Wright or the JFK assassination, the graves of Bonnie and Clyde, the Cowboys, the Mavericks or the Dallas Stars but also as the home base of the breathtaking Rosegarden Funeral Party fronted by the massively talented musician, singer-songwriter, the dazzling Leah Lane.
Rosegarden Funeral Party came to the spotlight about two years ago due to their gorgeous "The Chopping Block" EP (2018) which spontaneously triggered deliberate wish for a much-needed debut album. Almost a year and a half after the aforementioned EP, some lineup changes and intense artistic involvement the band managed to put out their highly desired and anxiously awaited debut full-length, "Martyr", a couple of weeks ago.
Rosegarden Funeral Party's album is genuinely one of the most illuminating beacons flight of 2019. "Martyr" is a compellingly delightful 8 song albums of explosively, thrilling post-punk angst aesthetic, painted with some generous brush strokes of the most ardent traditional goth glimmer.
From the opening track to the closing one, "Martyr" delivers a powerful, deeply addictive, magnificent set of heartfelt songs that pay a stunning tribute to the best golden ark of alternative sounds from the 80s. There's blend of gloom, solemnity, sadness, rebellion, theatricality, impassioned soulfulness all over this album that essentially pushes Rosegarden Funeral Party sonic aesthetic towards the ones from Joy Division, New Order, The Cure, The Sound, Siouxsie and The Banshees, The Smiths and even The Pretenders not to mention some The Human League synth pop omnipresence.
Listening to Martyr we can have some sort of augmented reality experience of what could perfectly be a Rosegarden Funeral Party live show because though it is a studio album the real feel present here is the one of a fabulous cathartic sonic live show liturgy.
Listening to Martyr we can have some sort of augmented reality experience of what could perfectly be a Rosegarden Funeral Party live show because though it is a studio album the real feel present here is the one of a fabulous cathartic sonic live show liturgy.
Rosegarden Funeral Party's Martyr is a tremendously effective album that seems to have been patiently, cautiously and above all wisely crafted. Masterful guitar playing, jaw dropping riffs, a superb powerfully paced rhythm section all of this hauntingly wrapped up with gorgeous vocals that can range from husky to almost silky that often remind of a mix between Siouxsie Sioux and Chrissie Hynde on an album that will undeniably be among the greatest contenders for album of the year 2019. There are shinning stars over Dallas skies!
INDIEVOTION SCORE: 8.5/10