Hailing from Kansas City, Mo.,Vedera has a polished pop
rock sound. Their current album and first with Epic records
was produced by Mike Flynn and Warren Huart — the men behind
recent releases by The Fray and Augustana.
What sets this band apart from the others are the soaring
vocals of Kristen May. The band, which includes her husband,
has drawn comparisons to the Cranberries. They seem like
a good fit for radio and stardom or at least becoming a
one-hit wonder.
The lead single and a truly standout song is “Satisfy.”
The hook is mesmerizing and delivered with confidence. Kristen
wails, “Is there anything left in this world that will satisfy
me … will satisfy you?” She turns it from a wounded cry
into a tender plea.
Perhaps too much of the album falls
into the category of album filler, but there is still enough
good songs to hold onto. “Even I” pulls at the strings of
your heart without being to melodramatic. “Look Around”
and "A World Apart" showcase a rougher edge, which Kristen
wears well. Never venturing too far from the formula but
still with some unique spice to it is “The Rain.” She draws
you in with her honest lyrics and muted vocals to create
a feeling of confidence and apprehension. In still another
candid moment in the song “We Sing,” she says, “I can live
secretly just for you, just for you…will it ever be, you
and me.” It’s a tale of unrequited love that sounds desperate
and restrained.
Stages is an intriguing album because the
talent of Vedera is undeniable. Kristen’s star may one day
outshine the band or they might become the next Fleetwood
Mac. This album could make them stars or it they may just
become one of the many good bands who release a good album
with a few great songs then are never heard from again.
But who cares about what tomorrow may hold anyway. Today,
in this moment, they shine bright.
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