Stellastarlets
Brooklyn-based rock-pop group survive the recession; refine and excel
Stellastarr*
Civilized
Released on Jul 07, 2009
Stellastarr* have been one of those consistent bands, churning out
album after album of quality music that doesn’t sway from a certain
mold and style. The Brooklyn band flourished, along with similar New
York acts, during the early 2000s, when every magazine cover heralded
the promises of the next big act from New York City. Most of the music
was rock-pop, with a hint of new wave, gaining Stellastarr* comparisons
to Interpol, Editors, and The Killers. With their latest release, Civilized, the band offers up a twist on more of the same, breathing a new life into their traditional style of work.
Civilized thankfully is not an exact carbon copy of the other Stellastarr* albums. Compared to their previous release, Harmonies for the Haunted, this album is much more energetic, the music upbeat and more pop accessible. Civilized is an example of the band playfully having fun with their music, and
not so deeply getting engrossed with the artistry of it all. A prime
example is the hip-swinging track “Prom Zombie” that surpasses the
campy title with a head bopping chorus, bright and crisp drumming, and
a handclap and horns section. The song just sounds like pure filtered
fun. Even the slower songs have shed their darker tone, most evident on
“Tokyo Sky” a shoegazer type track that slowly builds before crashing
in a warm and fuzzed out mélange of sound.
The tight and up-tempo driving drumming of Arthur Kremer really ties together the songs on Civilized.
Even on the slower tracks, the percussive sections shimmer, and are
crisp and vibrant, setting a perfect backdrop. It compliments lead
singer Shawn Christensen’s higher register that he utilizes on this
album, citing throat issues as the reason for changing the range and
style of his singing. The loss of lower vocals and range helps give Civilized a bright pop feel, while keeping the new wave tinged backdrop that
Stellastarr* always utilizes, just adding in a sunnier disposition.
You probably won’t find anything radical or groundbreaking on the
latest offering from this band, but that’s not a bad thing. Sometimes
all you really need is tightly constructed and catchy music, and
Stellastarr* delivers just that. Will it change the way you look at
music or make you a raging fan? Probably not. But it’s enjoyable,
catchy, and a pleasant and subtle departure from their previous work.
Overall Civilized sees the band slowly edging outside of their
standard comfort zone, dipping a toe in the waters of something new,
while staying safe and true to their original format.
High Point
“Freak Out” is sultry and infectious, a perfect single-worthy song.
Low Point
“Graffiti Eyes” seems to plod along, dragging a bit like a stick stuck in mud.
Posted by Lisa White on Jul 14, 2009 @ 7:00 am