Verbena
La Musica Negra

Third album for the American trio Verbena, this "La Musica Negra" was supposed to be the definitive consecration of the group, but perhaps internal changes with the departure of bassist "Anne Marie Griffin," replaced by Nick Daviston, blocked what seemed to be the successors of excuse me if I exaggerate "Nirvana."

It's unclear what went through the band's mind, but the fact is they managed to put together 12 not-bad songs that don't have much in common with what we've heard from them in the past. The beautiful grunge sound of the previous two albums, produced by a certain Dave Grohl, seems to have faded away.

The album opens with the beautiful and powerful "Way Out West," and listening to it immediately hints at the direction almost the entire album takes, although the other songs are a step below "Way Out West." Notable tracks include "White Girls," the pseudo-ballad "Camelia," and "Rememberer," where the old "Verbena" sound is found, even if it does sound a bit too similar to something by Nirvana. In fact, for the first few seconds of the song, it almost feels like listening to poor Kurt playing the guitar and singing into a microphone again.

The album closes with "Dirty Goodbyes," a very slow and beautiful song all about piano and atmosphere, with lots of little choruses here and there. In conclusion, I can say that the album deserves a 4, no more. I expected something better from this Birmingham (Alabama) trio. Style change aside (which is always welcome when it comes to something innovative), I don't see anything original worth mentioning. Overall, the album is easy to listen to but doesn't go beyond that.