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Album Details

• Artist: Stars Of Track And Field
• Album: Centuries Before Love And War
• Label: Sidecho
• Year of Release: 2006
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2007-05-24

This album from Stars of Track And Field has had me stumped for reviewing for quite some time. I've listened to it enough and I enjoyed every listen. But it's the kind of release where nothing really grabs you and when you try to describe what the sound is like you are at a loss for words. It sort of has a Coldplay vibe to it but much less over-the-top. Maybe a little more along the lines of Death Cab For Cutie. Regardless, Stars of Track And Field have created an album that is very easy to listen to (does that make it easy listening?). Centuries Before Love and War is one of those albums that starts out small and understated and then grows into something much larger, filling right out. To paraphrase, building something out of nothing.

The album gently eases it's way in with "Centuries". It has a bit of a Notwist flavor with a staticy sample mixed with some keyboards. Then they pick things up with "Movies Of Antarctica", a song that gets my vote for a single. It's got great dynamics, loud/soft.

On "With You" the band go back into their shell slightly but end up with my favorite track on Centuries, a song made to warm hearts.

Then they take another quiet track, "Lullabye For A G.I./Don't Close Your Eyes", finding the perfect balance between electronic and organic instrumentation. It's a beautiful song with an almost whispered vocal. I love the punch that the guys find in "Arithmatik". One of those moments that actual shock the listener. "Say Hello" is another soaring one.

Centuries Before Love and War is an album that will grow over time. It took me some time to get this review done and in the end I'm glad I listened to it as much as I did.

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