Uzza – Samsara [Album Review]

I recently got this gem in the mail from Dead Sound Records CEO, Devlin Anderson. I had just sent him a copy of my newest poetry book, Hallucinating Arkansas, and he said that I might relate to Uzza’s vocalist, Tabatha Predovich. After a few listens, I found that he was quite correct when it comes to politics and general outlook on life.

I then did a bit of research into the history of Uzza, and found that Tabatha’s story is something quite amazing in it’s own right. At a very young age, she was diagnosed with Kidney Disease, and then, a few years ago, was diagnosed with Cancer. She is a survivor who has stood strong in the face of a Kidney Transplant that her body rejected, giving her Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, as well as a bout of chemotherapy that led to all of her hair falling out.

And while a lesser vocalist would fill every lyric on their bands’ debut album with stories of woe and self pity concerning these health problems, Predovich has instead written an album filled with brilliantly snarky lyrics that attack the very core of our consumerist society, while at the same time revealing truths about herself that, to me at least, are easy to relate to.

The band’s sound is somewhere between an edgier Siouxsie and the Banshees mixed with a psychedelic, stoner rock ethos. Tabatha’s voice can either be sweet and dreamy, or harsh and biting. Songs that stand out to me are the mellow and captivating Still Life, and the opening track Square Eggs, a song that, at first listen, seemed like an angst-ridden ode to non-conformity, but after further research into the life of Mrs. Predovich, now seems like a proud anthem of survival in spite of a world that seems to be constantly attempting to destroy us all.

Sadly, this album is not available to the general public yet. However, you can listen to a few tracks online at either Uzza’s Facebook page, or the Official Uzza Website while you wait for the official release. Or, if you live in or near Minnesota, you can buy a copy at a live show.

*UPDATE*

The album is now available on Itunes! Get it now: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/samsara/id497300606

Now, on a side note, I feel like I should mention a couple things that have made me a bit more of a fan of Ms. Predovich since I started looking into her strange and inspiring life story.

First, she has an abstract noise project called Velvet Rat. As an artist who has dabbled in abstract noise for over a decade now, I can’t help but enjoy this project of hers. She says there is an album in the works, but might not be ready until much later this year. Until then, I highly suggest checking them out at the Velvet Rat Facebook page.

Also, she was involved in this strange poetic/improv/free jazz project called Invisible Jazz. Definitely worth a listen.

And lastly, she’s an absolute amazon beauty. I mean, for real, how can you not be in love: