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Album Details

• Artist: Stellastarr*
• Album: Stellastarr*
• Label: RCA
• Year of Release: 2003
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-05-21

What a flashback! I know bands like Interpol and Rapture get pinpointed as bands that are reliving the 80s New Wave movement but I think that Stellastarr have it mastered. Not too sure until I got to "My Coco" and that song just drove home the idea. Not that vocalist Shawn Christensen sounds like anyone in particular or the echoey guitars sound like any band in particular. It's the whole deal. If I had to I would have to say that an earlier Cure might be the influence to blame the most. Then again, Shawn's warble does sound vaguely like Craig Wedren from Shudder To Think fame, giving them an 90s reference. Anyway, the main point here is that this amalgamation of old and older influences has given these art-school students a great base to build their own thing on. As already stated "My Coco" steals the show but that's not it. Have a listen to the bouncy "Somewhere Across Forever" for a big power-pop punch or the previously released "Jenny" for a dose of this New York based band. One track that is a big letdown is "Moongirl". It just doesn't seem to hit it's stride. A slower song with nothing to keep the listener around. Other than that there is pretty much solid material throughout. If you are missing the 80s or digging some of the newer groups like Interpol then definitely check out Stellastarr*. They have a lot going for them.

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