The Florida-based Alt-Rockers VersaEmerge are out with the video to their new title track off their full-length debut studio album, "Fixed At Zero," is catchy modern dream rock at its most ethereal and entrancing, just released on Fueled By Ramen. Infectious and sexy this is most certainly worth your time. Not only does "Fixed At Zero" feature pristine production, it also has one of the best vocal performances I've heard in a while, female or otherwise. The lead singer Sierra Kusterbeck's range, from sultry to soaring, is fantastic, as she knows when to pull in the reins as well as knowing when to belt it out.This Florida trio is the future superstar of the heavily superstar lead by powerhouse, cute-as-a-button vocalist Kusterbeck. Her electrifying vocals are the batteries powering this machine, which is already good in and of itself. So the combo of soaring vocals and quality, catchy rhythm and riffing are the prime reasons why this band is on the verge of "emerging" from the underground and rocket to the stratosphere! With their dynamic brand of rock music, has already been named by Alternative Press as "A Band You Need To Know." However what makes all of this even more impressive is the fact that the band pulled all of this off without the benefit having a proper full-length to their name, but all of that's about to change with the release of "Fixed At Zero."
VersaEmerge in a heavily art-directed forest set where director Spence Nicholson takes some visual cues from the "vulture on my shoulder" lyrics, but keeps the focus on Kusterbeck and the band's performance. Kusterbeck explains how the storyline/treatment for the video follows here as she is 'lost' and wakes up in nest occupied by a vulture and how the live performance is set in a majestic forest. The vulture represents all your demons and bad habits that lurk in the back of your mind. They haunt you and try to control you. It's not always a bad thing. We aren't perfect. We all have a little vulture inside us, and sometimes it makes us take chances that we can learn from. I chose a vulture not only because it rhymed with 'shoulder,' but because they're so evil and lazy. It waits for its food to die and isn't even a skilled hunter. Sometimes we get all get lazy. We feel fixed at zero, which basically means to be stuck in one spot, not able to move forward or in the right direction- in the sense that 10 is the greatest and zero is the lowest. I want to get the phrase 'fixed at zero' in the dictionary, so I'm trying to think of many explanations as possible.
"Fixed At Zero" is like a walk through wonderland. It's powerful yet dreamy female lead vocals with a hint of vulnerability, it's unique fantasy feel from the varied instrument sounds and it's varied tempo lend to a surreal sound that feels a bit theatrical. At some point I realized I was experiencing the music more than just listening. VersaEmerge has found the perfect pop-rock mix, it'll lend nicely to make a few radio hits while others are meant to be admired and appreciated by true fans. "Fixed At Zero" has the charisma to draw in your attention and the substance to keep it as well. Looking for a new obsession? Say hello to 2010's breakout band, VersaEmerge.
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