Review Summary: sometimes first release is best release
It’s really too bad this band never went anywhere. By the time I discovered them they had already broken up. From what I gathered, Finest Dearest released an EP and an album, toured, released a second album, and then hung up their hats not finding a big enough audience.
Regardless, during their short time together, they managed to leave behind this gem of an album. Their second album (good enough) was not nearly as good unfortunately.
I’m not adverse to female fronted bands, but at least to me, a lot of them come across as gimmicky or insincere. Thankfully this is not one of them. Every member is dialed in and owning their part quite well. The drums are anything but boring and bass refuses to be relegated to basic root notes. The guitars are continually skirting the line between nearly clean melodies and distorted power chords. The band tirelessly cranks out riffs and melodies while effortlessly avoiding sameness or repetition. As much as I love cranked distortion, I’m always intrigued when a band can belt out heavier segments with minimal amounts of it. This allows the bass to shine through as well. Production is spartan and clean without sounding polished.
Vocalist Carly Schneider can write as well as she can sing. Lyrically the content is all over the place, however the narratives are engaging and easy enough to follow. She does a fantastic job of expressing herself with an equal mix of logic and emotion. The stories meander along winding paths with the rest of the band before finding themselves in a chorus or interlude. She's able to match the lyrical and melodic aesthetic with a softer but equally fitting voice. There is a stoic fire in her that belies her cute voice and softer tone.
Sonically they have an early 90’s late 80’s punk / rock sound to them, with the previously mentioned softer voice. I don’t have enough experience with those styles to really nail down contemporaries.
Standout Tracks
Night-Blooming Flowers
Your Hometown
Making a Sound 1
Making a Sound 2
Making a Sound 3
Tunnel Vision
Serious
