Even if the Sharon Lia Band’s euphoric, sonically empowering (and perfectly titled!) album Expanse wasn’t an all out triumph of contemporary symphonic rock, it would still be a magnificent and unique rarity for the sheer whirlwind of goodies – in the music (2 full CDs worth), packaging and ancillary products available to enhance the joyful and inspiring listening experience.
In an age where so many indie artists focus their energies on releasing singles (and maybe if we’re lucky, EPs) in the hopes of getting traction on Spotify playlists, Lia is, in addition to being a powerhouse operatic rock vocalist, songwriter, pianist and producer, a true musician and marketing visionary unafraid to go wonderfully overboard to create a product (or products) for her fans unlike any other.
In addition to the foundational electric guitar driven kick ass rock versions of Expanse’s core ten songs, she doubles down on the second CD, offering symphonic vocal versions of four of the songs in addition to instrumental renditions of all of them. Including the atmospheric, Morse-code filled title track prelude to all the magic to come, there are 26 songs, and two hours of music in all.
Even in the age of streaming, how many artists are bold enough to challenge this generation’s short attention spans with that much incredible music in one shot? But in Sharonland, there’s so much more to experience, starting with the colorful CD packaging featuring “Easter Eggs” related to these uplifting, message filled songs and compelling images (avatars) of Sharon with different color hair and wearing everything from a spacesuit to a cowboy outfit and princess garb. Not to mention all the cool stuff on the group’s Bandcamp page – including Expanse Chronicles: Lyrics and Visuals; Expanse: Songbook for piano and voice; and journals, bracelets, T-shirts and a dynamic Tunespeak giveaway that has generated several million entries to date.
All fine and goodies-good, but what about the music? Turns out, pretty darn spectacular! With a powerhouse voice that one minute soars like a new age ethereal goddess and then grounds itself in the kind of fiery pop/rock 80’s icons Pat Benatar and Bonnie Tyler blew us away with back in the day, Sharon is a masterful artist with the power to take listeners on a multi-dimensional journey.
Strip away all the dazzling merch, and we can still “Find Something To Believe In,” one of the fiery “emotional core” tunes of the collection, which begins with her surreal soaring vocalizing before Sharon rocks us with an uplifting message about the importance of dreaming over a hard chugging groove. One of the lines in the song feels like a self-manifesto: “There’s nothing that you shouldn’t dare.” On Disc Two, there’s an instrumental version to believe in – and sing along to (though you would have to be very passionate and highly trained to match her wild heights.”
In addition to hypnotic, anthemic rockers like the soaring jams “I Will Wait” (about love enduring even the most painful separations), the despairing yet ultimately (cautiously hopeful “Invisible” and tension and doubt-filled “Feel It In My Bones,” Sharon proves herself a masterful romantic pop balladeer on sweet, lyrical, unabashed expressions like “Love You Forever” and “Blue Skies.” The swelling strings on the symphonic version of “Love You Forever” truly underscores the rich emotional content of the tune. Likewise, it helps us feel the pain she’s sharing on “Invisible.”
A few other gems are worth mentioning, if only to share the grand reality that Sharon is, above all else, a highly inspirational and empowering artist. She offers both mystical rock and symphonic versions of the piano sprinkled power ballad “Risk It All,” which is literally about taking a chance on true love but whose message can be applied to pursuing any passion in life. Alternately poignant and hopeful, Sharon on “I Will Remember (Live Out Loud” draws strength, joy and wisdom for what lies ahead from the impactful time she shared with a now departed loved one.
Though for someone whose music appeals to a new age audience, Sharon’s music is not specifically spiritual, her dreamy closing track “The Light” flows like a soulful meditation on the supernatural. After a ninety second, soaring wordless vocal intro, she focuses on the Light of the divine and the amazing things we can manifest if we tap into God’s light and choose to be light ourselves.
Giving full credit where it’s due, Sharon created the stunning visual and graphic design of Expanse, and is the all around multi-media designer. Her compatriots on this wondrous journey include co-producer, engineer, mixer, masterer and guitarist Rick Jonnotti, bassist Rhod Miller (Lauryn Hill, Kindred the Family Soul), drummer Steve Collucci, keyboardists Howie Gordon and Matt Dunn and background vocalist Vika Hunter.
Wonderful article!!!