Long Beach trio Bella Novela describes their music as “Spaghetti-Western Disco Rock Opera,” a classification certain to pique the interest of any music-lover with adventurous tastes. And after listening to The Archeress, their sophomore album, this bizarre genre makes all the sense in the world; the music possesses the wild aggressiveness of western all’italiana, the theatricality and elegance of opera, and the catchy hooks of the finest rock and disco tracks.
The album opens with “Exodus,” an instrumental introduction that features swelling phrases and eerie, melodic guitar riffs. The track clocks in at just less than two minutes, but sufficiently builds the tension for what’s to come. And Bella Novela does not disappoint, following up with “Sanctuary.” This song comes to life with a strong harmonious wail by all three members of the group. As lead singer Jackie Ojeda begin the first verse, the instruments fade into a subtle – yet intense – driving force behind her, only to come back and smack audiences in the face when the chorus comes around. If there was ever a perfect start to an album, this is it.
“Aftermath,” the group’s third track, is an operatic, Queen-esque track with all the beautiful harmony and infectious quality of that legendary band it pays homage to. The swelling dynamic of the music (a strength in nearly all of Bella Novela’s songs) is positively entrancing, and the power of Ojeda’s vocals knocks you off your feet. And don’t even bother righting yourself when the song wraps up; the album moves straight into “Going the Distance,” a juggernaut of a track with an opening guitar riff reminiscent of Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper.” Jackie’s vocals don’t quite contain the power of Bruce Dickenson – or, for that matter, of the previous track – but the background vocals and quintessential rock n roll guitars make the track just as superb as its predecessors (listen to this song at the gym: it’s what my athlete friends in high school called a “pump up song”).
But let’s not forget the “disco” part of the genre: “The Thirst” starts heads a-bobbing with its fat and funky bass line and clapping percussion. Add a funk-infused guitar riff and Jackie’s smooth vocals, warning that she’s “coming at’cha like a thief in the night,” and you’ve got a danceable hit that I’m shocked hasn’t been remixed and overplayed in the Long Beach club scene. Even “The Drifter,” with its brassy intro and western-film vibe so arid and hot you can feel the tumbleweeds roll across your eardrums, has a hypnotic melody line that simply begs you to dance – and, if you’re anything like me, you will.
The story goes that Bella Novela was born in 2007, when our heroic trio was working at a rock n roll camp for teens. Their passion and understanding of rock music is unmistakably present throughout this album. I could continue, track by track, and give you a rundown of why this band is great (I’ve only covered half of the album so far), but I’m approaching my word count limit and Madlen, our editor extraordinaire, will likely be pissed. So instead, here are a few parting thoughts :
Firstly, The Archeress has, in a matter of days, become one of my favorite albums ever, among the likes of Appetite for Destruction by Guns N Roses, Lungs by Florence and the Machine, and Piece of Mind by Iron Maiden. THAT’S saying something.
Secondly, you can purchase Bella Novela’s album on the band’s website, and see them perform live at the Long Beach Zombie Walk on October 29th. I highly suggest you be there.
