The Sunny Era – Save Yourself From You – Album Review | The Ark of Music – The best music in the world…you never knew existed.

The Sunny Era wasn’t always what it is today. Originally a world-music oriented trio consisting of Eric Stainbrook (guitar, lead vocals), Laila Stainbrook (keys, violin, background vocals), and Rob Föehl (drums), the group has now metamorphosed into an indie-rock quintet which now includes brothers Patrick Zampogna (lead guitar); and Tony Zampogna (bass guitar).

It’s abundantly clear that this creative bunch have found that rare and hard to locate sweet spot that lies between both the joyful and the somber realities that come with being artists—particularly musicians. Save Yourself From You, being the band’s fifth album, (though it’s their first as a quintet), expresses their seeming comfort with this duality. Or, perhaps their simple ability to navigate through it. Here’s what we dug most…

Our Favorite Track:
Save Yourself From You, the album’s title and opening track, is a beautiful piece of songwriting, and I unabashedly would like to declare that I absolutely love this song. The piece dances between a subtle and lovely tale of woe, love and loss—and a frenzied and desperate plea for life. With a synth-pop texture, the band delicately incorporates an entire arsenal of sound (including Eric Stainbrook’s soaring vocals), making it worthy of being the album’s opener.

Strangers Among Friends is an ode to that moment when one either commits and devotes, or walks away in regret. Continuing with the album’s musically dynamic theme, the song builds and falls away more than once, as the lover’s conflict unfolds…

“Livin’ hollowed out, sleepin’ all day too
Do I let myself down, or give my soul to you?”

Sorrow Will Set You Free sees the band stepping-up their rock-band-ness as it reminded me instantly of Radiohead’s early 90’s classic, Creep. This song oozes with delicious sorrow and regret…

“The sun is goin’ down…and I’ll always be with you…”

Laila Stainbrook’s rolling violin melody line creates a striking sonic backdrop in Take Us All. Additionally, at 1:05 and 2:15, respectively, Stainbrook and P. Zampogna share a couple of stunning instrumental exchanges between violin and guitar…you must check them out.

The album concludes with Goodbye Love, a short, simple, and hauntingly beautiful song which features only Stainbrook’s voice and keys. My friends, this is how you say goodnight…

“Take care of all of those, that lie around you
Take care of all the souls, that never ever found you
That love you, like they were your own”

I can’t overstate how lovely this album is. As a whole, Save Yourself From You is packed with Mumford-esque dynamics, whereby the songs are built slowly, until suddenly there is a fortress of sound before you. And, just like that, it disappears again, into a quiet, subtle finger-picked guitar or vocal melody. As a listener, this ebb and flow is entirely rich, and creates an emotionally invested angst that wishes to see each song through to it’s conclusion.

As I journeyed through this album, with no exaggeration, I found myself rooting for Stainbrook, as if he were a character in some epic tale of love and friendship. He and his companions have created something really wonderful here, as Save Yourself From You could be your life’s next soundtrack.

Whose lovechild…?
The Killers’ lead singer, Brandon Flowers, makes a record with Mumford & Sons and post-2012 Smashing Pumpkins. (Big praise, I realize. Hey, what can I say, these guys are good.)

(NOTE: Save Yourself From You’s official album release date is: Thursday, Dec. 15th, 2016)

BELOW, you can listen to music from The Sunny Era’s new album, Save Yourself From You, connect with their website, social media & streaming/download platforms, check out their live show/tour schedule, and find their booking & contact information. Please support The Sunny Era by visiting them online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!