 |
|
Starflyer 59 I was driving home last weekend and decided it was a good time to put in disc one of Starflyer 59's new two disc box-set, Easy Come, Easy Go. I had an hour to kill, and I figured I better listen to the disc before writing about it, even though I was already quite familiar with all of the songs on it. I have been a fan of Starflyer ever since their debut release Silver in 1994, and I consider them the best band in Christian music today. They are not the most talented, but to these ears, they are the most original. Jason Martin, the driving force behind the band, has a knack for taking the band's sound in new directions with every album. Each step he takes is a logical progression, and every album sounds organic. Disc one of their new box-set captures this. While listening to the 15 songs chronicling Starflyer's six year career, I was struck by just how good they actually are. I haven't been lying to myself all these years. The first disc has three songs from each of their five albums (Silver, Gold, Americana, The Fashion Focus, and Everybody Makes Mistakes), and for the most part the songs capture the overall feel of each of the records. Songs from Silver and Gold (both are self-titled but are titled according to their cover art) contain very thick guitars and very hushed vocals, somewhat similar to rockier Red House Painters material. 'Duel Overhead Cam' is perhaps the smoothest song the band has written, sounding like something taken from a James Bond soundtrack. The Fashion Focus has a definite sixties surf rock feel, while Everybody Makes Mistakes hints at catchier new wave influences. Though disc one doesn't make for a cohesive work, it is a good introduction for someone who is unfamiliar. Rarities, b-sides, and live tracks comprise disc two. Many of these songs are good (notably 'Next Time Around,' 'When No One Calls,' 'Samson'), while a couple ('All Done Wrong,' 'Elijah the Prophet') do lack the vigor of the songs that actually made the final cut of the records for which they were intended. 'Shedding The Mortal Coil' is really interesting, though, and captures the band trying something way out of their comfort zone. The live material was recorded from one of their more recent concerts and most of the set was taken from The Fashion Focus and Everybody Makes Mistakes. Jason Martin has never sounded this good live, both vocally and behind his guitar. Easy Come, Easy Go is a must have for a Starflyer fan. A beautiful booklet accompanies the two-disc set, detailing their six-year career thus far. The "best of" disc could also serve as a good introduction to the band for one who is unfamiliar with their body of work, and would be a wise investment as much of disc two is quite good also. Hopefully they will stick around for another few years and release a couple more great albums, which they are certainly capable of doing. (David O.) |
|
 |