Mary And The Black Lamb – “As The City Sleeps”

Back when I was in high school, there was a punk band named Princess Riot. They performed at our local venues. I couldn’t help but notice a sticker of a black rabbit on the bassist’s four string. The black rabbit was the logo of Toronto synthrock band, The Birthday Massacre. An interesting influence for a punk musician. A few years later this same bassist became a band member of Mary And The Black Lamb. Her name – Lindz Riot and her new band had just released their first album As The City Sleeps. In the album booklet The Birthday Massacre was listed as an influence. Now it is time to hear how Lindz Riot matured as a musician along with her fellow bandmates.

At first glance of the As The City Sleeps album you will notice the simple night time album art. It is artist’s Stev Rothney’s (Caution Inc.) interpretation of Mary And The Black Lamb, a girl and lamb sitting on a ridge peering out on a town. The night sky theme flows throughout all the art work for this release. On the disc was a black lamb just waiting to be placed in my CD player… so I did.

Ten tracks of melodic but dark rock music is what comes off this disc. For the most part the drums keep a simple beat and at times are played in an upbeat fashion. The bass is also at ease following the guitar’s lead. A heavily distorted six string plays power chords throughout the whole album. The most unique instrumental is the keyboard which gives the songs an eerie feel, especially noticeable on the track “Stranger”. Most definitely the main draw point of Mary And The Black Lamb is the female fronted vocals. Full of melody and popiness, these lyrics get trapped in the mind. I catch myself singing choruses of songs such as “Emily” or “Stay Away”. The music may be simple but it is appealing to the ears.

As The City Sleeps will not put the listener to sleep at all. It lifts you up to sing along with all of the album’s 10 songs. I hope to hear this band one day, on the radio, no doubt with millions of other listeners. Fans of The Birthday Massacre, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin and Evanescence will really enjoy this album. Also keep watching this band, they might just be putting out a new release in the very near future. *wink wink*.

Track Listing:

01. She Is
02. Stay Away
03. Departed
04. Gone
05. Emily
06. The Price
07. Not The Girl
08. Forget You Now
09. Stranger
10. Silence

Run Time: 33:50
Release Date: 04.15.2009

Check out the song: “Stay Away”