Is it really true that there's "nothing new under the sun"? Well, one might be inclined to think so after hearing San Antonio all-female trio GIRL IN A COMA. At the very least, they're open about their influences. In their bio, they recount how they grew up listening to THE SMITHS, and one listen to the first opening seconds of their new album "Both Before I'm Gone" makes this clearly apparent (even the band's name is partially lifted from a SMITHS song). Their problem lies in differentiating themselves from their number one influence and creating their own sound. Singer Nina Diaz sounds like she could be the daughter of Morrissey, employing a shaky faux English accent while repeating the same short, simple refrains over and over. Even the riffs sound like they were stolen from Johnny Marr, whether they're of the bouncy variety like "Say" and "Tell Him" or more somber like "Road to Home" or "Celibate Now". Basically, apart from the acoustic closer "Simple Man" (NOT a SKYNYRD cover), anyone remotely familiar with THE SMITHS is going to feel like they've heard this before.

The one thing they have to set them apart (aside from the fuzzier, modern sound) is yet another thing that holds them back: their lyrics. Unlike the introspective whining that's been Morrissey's calling card for the past 20 plus years, Nina's lyrics are saturated in metaphor and nonsensical hooks that, while effective in getting into the listener's head, quickly get tiresome. It's very difficult to get into an album that you don't understand. And of course, a significant percentage of the population gets severely nauseous at the mere mention of Morrissey or anything related to the guy, so if this describes you then this is one less purchase to consider. At the same time, those that do dig that sort of thing are still better off with the original

- Cardona

OFFICIAL SITE: www.girlinacoma.com

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