Sierra Fin – Shake Stare Sleep

Shake Stare Sleep – Sierra Fin

by Aidan Roberts

Arriving in a package of curiously antiquated artwork, this EP from local folk-rock grenadiers Sierra Fin carries an almost immediate air of the theatrical. Being a fairly fresh band, they’ve elected to announce their presence with a lush affair, guitars and pianos racing about the stereo picture, reverby string machines and main-man Russ Tainton’s dreamy vocals binding it all together with his burlesque swoon. There’s a hint of older Australian dogs Augie March in Sierra Fin’s sound, and the baroque patterns in Tainton’s songwriting lend themselves to the genre well. Occasionally we’re swept up in a very British grandiosity, the snowy Over My Head living somewhere east of Elbow and Coldplay; while they also bring it right down, Circumstance and Coincidence providing a thoughtful interlude with its blankety organ pads. The EP is carefully sequenced to give the listener a rounded journey, though not a particularly jovial one. With careful listening, this solid and sad EP should avoid any ugly cliche labels, and be appreciated for the subtle and satisfying work that it is; and as an indication that this band could well deliver something quite startling with a full-length release.

***1/2