A new album from Siena Root is always something special. As a long-time fan, I would think I had them figured out with every album, and then they’ll do something that puts something out that throws me for a loop. This is one of the many things I love about Siena Root. They are not a band that is ever afraid to challenge themselves, try new things, and not confine themselves to just one predictable thing. I had no idea what to expect with their latest album Revelation, so I closed my eyes, hit “play,” and then settled in for the ride.
The Covid-19-inspired “Coincidence and Fate’s” bombastic intro rolls out the carpet only to bleed into a very Pink Floyd-inspired groove. In my opinion, few come close to ever finding that groove that feels so genuine, but Siena Root takes it on and shows that they don’t just play the groove. They are the groove.
“Madukhauns” finds Siena Root revisiting their passion for the traditional world music sound that they became known so well for earlier on. The hard in-the-pocket groove of the Led Zeppelin-esque “No Peace” had me nodding my head, doing the “white boy overbite” thing as I grinned with approval. Lead vocalist Zubaida Solid is the engine that pulls this train completely to the top of the mountain. With a natural falter at times to her voice, the realness of her voice is captured, and the power of her voice is the showcase of this tune. The folk-inspired “Winter Solstice” and “Little Burden” are highlights for me with a sparse, Rennaisance-inspired woodsy acoustic tone but it is the dark, appalachian rock styling of “Dusty Roads” that I consider to be the showstopper of this album.
Revelation is a bold statement from Siena Root that they are not a predictable one-trick pony. However, Revelation proves they have found their footing as a powerhouse quartet without compromising their never-ending musical journey into unchartered territory. Revelation is Siena Root in the now. Where will they go from here? Who the hell knows? Maybe they’ll put out a glam rock album next? A folk record? A conceptual progressive rock album? The beautiful thing about Siena Root is that they are very much a band to live in the moment with, and Revelation is an album that I am thrilled to have in the now.
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