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I remember hearing Starflyer 59 for the first time many, many
years ago, and thinking how much their sound fell into line with much
of the other music that I listened to at the time. Lush walls of guitars
accompanied brilliant lyrics that were sometimes hard to distinguish
in the maelstrom of sonic goodness, or noise, as my parents called
it. The years have made subtle changes in the Starflyer sound, both
with the maturing of the core players, as well as the coming and going
of accompanying musicians. Jason Martin and Frank Lenz
remain the core of the band, and their individual styles, as well
as the collective sound of Starflyer have matured and softened over
the years. Gone are the washes of guitars, slowly replaced with cleaner
guitars and various instruments used sporadically throughout recordings
to add ambience and beauty. Strings, Mellotron, trumpet, various keyboards
and more have all found their way into the elegance of what has now
become Starflyer 59.
Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice is a robust album that demonstrates
how subtly and ably Lenz and Martin have come to craft songs. The
unmistakable melodic guitar playing is still a key; chiming arpeggios
and non-standard chord voicings are everywhere on these songs. Guitar
parts interweave beautifully, keyboards fill tidy sonic niches, and
drums anchor the whole symphony together very neatly. The songs themselves
remain polished and lyrically fierce, despite the soft sounds. "Easy
Street" is thick with e-bowed guitars, electric pianos, and moody
chord changes. "Good Sons" is a perfect choice for single
release, with it's catchy vocal chorus and near-disco bass line that
perfectly compliments the crisp drumming of Lenz.
The songs on Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice are all moody
and deep, while being extremely listenable and catchy. The songwriting
prowess of Martin is evident, as is the musical chemistry between
him and Lenz. The production quality is excellent, the songs are groovy
and interesting, the lyrics full of personality and depth. Taking
their cues from some of rock's greatest, Starflyer 59 has once again
created a record full of original songs that are unique amidst the
current climate in music, setting themselves apart as a part of that
elite group of musicians making music worth taking note of. These
songs won't become mired in the mud of mainstream rock, but will most
certainly stand the test of time.
-Embo Blake
Track Listing:
1. The Contest Completed
2. Easy Street
3. Good Sons
4. A Lists Go On
5. Night Life
6. A Good Living
7. Softness, Goodness
8. Something Evil
9. The Longest Line
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