San Diego’s Sister Speak offer up a tight blend of bluesy pop on their deep and rhythmic debut, Rise Up For Love. The band has made a large impact in their local market with their exceptional live show, and with this new LP in hand, have found themselves opening for the likes of Chris Isaak and Henry Kapono on their current West Coast tour.
The lead-off single “Chicago Dream” works as a gorgeously gritty soundtrack for a late night road trip, namely through the Chicago suburbs or other similar urban territories. While lead singer Sherri Anne waxes poetic about the electric energy of the city, the band answers with a steady backbeat accented by slide guitars and glowing organ. The overall sound could be compared to Mazzy Star doing a futuristic take on Stevie Nicks’ work with The Heartbreakers; edgy Americana that isn’t afraid to go deep.
There is a delicate dance between the raw delivery of the verse and the sweeping melody of the chorus. One that is pulled off to great effect by the Anne and producer Alan Sanderson (Ryan Adams, Fiona Apple, Fleetwood Mac). Sanderson worked intimately with Sister Speak, capturing the raw emotion of the band in a polished way, resulting in a song that has both “street” and “ethereal” qualities.
Sister Speak will be playing a few more shows in California before they embark on the Canadian leg of the tour which includes several dates in and around British Columbia.
