Trio B.C.

There are a few deciding factors that determine the lasting star power of a band: it all seems to boil down to great songs, a distinctive sound, and a story to run with. Girl in a Coma meet all the criteria in spades while snagging a few extra gold stars and honorable mentions for having an amazing vocalist with a unique resonance all her own. They are also exciting live. They are the best band in the world is all.

In reality, they comprise of guitar bass and drums helmed by Nina Diaz on vocals, Jenn Alva on bass, and Phanie Diaz on drums. Their tight unit is reminiscent of a Nirvana three-piece getting the job done with minimal fanfare and rocking out twice as hard to make up the difference. The album’s title, Trio B.C., was chosen in honor of the Diaz patriarch and his Tejano band, and conveniently illustrates the dynamism of this talented group. His likeness is also emblazoned on the cover as well and sketched by acclaimed artist Shizu Saldamando.

Trio B.C., Girl in a Coma's sophomore album under the watchful eye of label maven Joan Jett, grabs inspiration from various sources; rockabilly, punk rock, new wave, nu-gaze, and blues. As they branch out from their previous effort, you see them mature as songwriters as they creatively weave and incorporate these compatible genres with their edgy brand of punk rock. The record jumps like a game of hopscotch in and around their creative palette relying less on a heavy guitar sounds that drove the previous record and leaving ample room for lyrics and vocals to shine through.

“Vino” really showcases Diaz’s voice as she bellows and croons like a teen angel version of Patsy Cline. The way she ends her phrases with a vibrato lilt would make anyone obsessively hit rewind. “In the Day” is catchy, bright, new wave goodness that mixes The Vapors’ optimism with Morrissey’s acerbic cynicism. Jett’s backing vocals are heard loud and clear in “Joanie in the City” a punk rock anthem to all those rockin’ chicks you always wished you were, and Joan in particular. “Trail” has that nu-gaze ‘wall of sound’ sonic complexity that invites an intent ear to Diaz’s vocal stylizing. She relents, “I’m all right for now… I’ll just never sleep again.” "Slaughter Lane" works its way through the basic elements of roots music, bluesy, bouncy and riff oriented. It is here where each element works together in tandem as if they were playing a homecoming show at [enter steamy club] and having the best gig of their life.

Trio B.C. is a fresh progression of what would be expected from a band this strong and promising in a genre that seems too often to fail in exciting their audience when ingesting new blood. Their signature sound is successfully paired with new creative endeavors. One should expect an invigorating live show as they hash out these new tunes while balancing it all with their indie punk rock sensibilities.

•