Girl in a Coma

Morrissey fans should spot the obvious reference to "Girlfriend in a Coma", and I'll have to admit that was the reason why I've been following the career of Girl in a Coma since 2004 through a handful of wonderful demos. They were originally Girls in a Coma, before the grammar nazis said it was proper to say "girls are in a coma". So they briefly changed their name to Sylvia's Radio, based on one of their (at the time) new song "Sybil Vane Was Ill", but their fans protested and they ultimately changed it once again to Girl in a Coma.

I think they really hit the big time in 2007 when they signed and released Both Before I'm Gone on Black Heart Records, and followed by opening up for their idol Morrissey! That must've been an excellent year for them.

While obviously wearing their Morrissey/Smiths influence proudly on their sleeves, what I do love about them is that they don't try and imitate their idol. They seem to be trying to find their own sound, which is more like rock (I hate to state the obvious, but girl rock) with some UK punk influences.

Some of the stand out tracks on Both Before I'm Gone includes "Say" and "I'll Ask Him". The later song sounds like a typical Morrissey love song, but a little aggressive:

But what they really wanna know
Is are you gonna stay?
You've seen so many girls
I was passing through your way

Last Tuesday (June 2^nd) saw the release of their sophomore album, Trio B.C., available for on MP3 ($10), CD ($10), and vinyl ($17).

Upon first listen, I thought Trio B.C. was trying to distance themselves from Morrissey, which is not a bad thing. This is possibly because the title and theme for this new album comes from two Diaz sisters' grandfather's 1950s band.

I instantly liked "BB" which opens the album, which doesn't sound like a typical rock sound of Girl in a Coma. It sort of have this radio static, followed by this weird Tex-Mex guitar. Even the vocals by Nina Diaz starts off sounding like it's from a distance.

The song "Joannie in the City" seems to be about the "I Love Rock and Roll" girl, Joan Jett? She also happens to also own their record label, Black Heart Records. The song warns us to get out of the way when you see Joanie, because she's just too much, too crazy! Sounds like we should be friends with her.

What really stood out for me was the all-Spanish song, "Ven Cerca". It's very bassy and I've read that it's a cover of a 1960s Mexican love song by Los Spitfires.  Some sample lyrics, courtesy of a Girl in a Coma fan:

Quiero tomar tu mano
Y hacerte comprender
Y cuando bese to boca
Sentirte estremecer

PS, this has nothing to with the album review, but I thought it was newsworthy to mention that Jenn & Nina was recently in the news (March 22^nd) for an arrest and thrown in the Harris County jail.  While they can't comment on the incident, they claim to have nothing to do with the felony assault on the police offers.   Well, one thing is certain, the matter is behind them as they have been on tour in June. So check out the Austin trio themselves, on this new "Trio BC" national tour (supporting them is "Country Goth" Miss Derringer). If you can't make it to a show, their albums are available at a very affordable price via Black Heart.

Girl in a Coma at Best Buy Instore, Houston (06/08/09) ♥ photo by Kateg

Girl in a Coma at Best Buy Instore, Houston (06/08/09) ♥ photo by Kateg

Girl in a Coma at Best Buy Instore, Houston (06/08/09) ♥ photo by Kateg

Girl in a Coma at Best Buy Instore, Houston (06/08/09) ♥ photo by Kateg

Girl in a Coma at Best Buy Instore, Houston (06/08/09) ♥ photo by Kateg