Buffalo, NY indie-punk trio Lemuria recently released a new video for ‘Brilliant Dancer’ – a standout track from 2013’s ‘The Distance is so Big’. For me at least, it typifies what I like about this band, as well as what frustrates me. ‘Brilliant Dancer’ hinges on a brilliant guitar riff, a warm, undulating arpeggio following a faintly bluesy progression backed by a perfectly spaced drum beat with softly marching ghost note triplets. The effect is quietly mesmerising, elegantly lulling before the track snaps into the joyous exclamations of the chorus. Technically the track is impressive too: see the 7/4 bridge that smartly side-steps any awkward footing via a timely drum fill. The main thing that irks me about ‘Brilliant Dancer’ and Lemuria in general, is how inhibited it all feels. The vocals in particular are hopelessly timid, falling short of the passion such a lovingly constructed track merits. This restraint prevents me from loving a band like Lemuria. Instead I’m merely impressed by them.