Sick of Sarah Issue #37

Sick of Sarah (Adamant)

By Marisa Torrieri
Published: September 1st, 2008 | 5:01pm

They call themselves Sick Of Sarah, but the eponymous debut’s refreshingly perky melodies are anything but tiresome. Founded by the well-traveled lead singer-guitarist Abisha Uhl, the Minneapolis outfit’s latest collection of works is sure to cheer up the most downtrodden or musically cynical.

Kicking off with “Daisies,” the record unfolds into a landscape of bright, rich vocals that hint (occasionally) of Robert Smith over-the-top catchy, melodic guitar hooks. Clean, simple drums and bass provide a pronounced backdrop.

It’s clear to the listener, that 20-something Uhl has an ear for pop; the songstress first picked up a guitar at age 13 in Okinawa, Japan, where she lived until she relocated to the U.S. at age 18. Today, Uhl counts Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton among her influences. And like both pop sirens, Uhl’s delivery is passionate and sweet — especially when accompanied by backup vocalist Katie Murphy’s light harmonies on tracks like “Bittersweet” (where she gives off a bit of a Counting Crows vibe, too). Fierce, high-energy pop takes over three-minute ditties like “Not Listening” and gives the record an important bounce.

On perhaps the catchiest of the collection, “Common Mistake,” Uhl is incredibly raw and vulnerable when accompanied by acoustic guitar. It’s difficult to pinpoint a specific song that makes this album a masterpiece, but the lack of a standout track doesn’t make it any less listenable as a whole. Many a Midwestern band tinkers around with songs of love, loss, and random amusements, but Sick of Sarah’s attempts at common themes manage to soothe throughout.

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