You have come to expect Starflyer 59 to be the most reliable, most dependable, yet most undeniably unpredictable messengers of album after album of quality independent rock tunes. From the early guitar-heavy shoegazing era to the ethereal moodiness of The Fashion Focus years to the latest incarnations and recreations of themselves as keyboard-driven masters of chorus, this is and always will be a band who will deliver great songs with new sounds. The Changing Of The Guard is no exception to Starflyer 59's glowing catalog. Featuring the songs: "Shane" and "Trucker's Son."
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Fun is Fun, and so is this| Posted August 16, 2010
The Changing of the Guard, the 12th Studio Release from Starflyer 59 (a.k.a Jason Martin) continues the Starflyer 59 tradition of expert songwriting combined with what could best be described as As Ethereal Synth-Alternative Rock. While more introspective and less "spiritual" sounding than Dial M (2008) there are nuggets to be mined for the careful listener.
An adherent of the maxim "Always leave them wanting more", TCOTG gives us 10 songs that clock in just over 30 minutes. The track listing:
Fun is Fun
Shane
Time Machine
Trucker's Son
The Morning Rise/Frightening Eyes
I had a song for the ages
Coconut Trees
Cry Me A River
Kick the Can
Lose My Mind
Starflyer 59 has always been on the periphery of my musical experience. I knew they existed, enjoyed the music from time to time, but never considered myself a "fan". As such I only have two albums Silver (1993) (Hold onto your wallets, it's the corrected version, not the ones printed Starflier 59) and Dial M. I usually gravitate to the music of the other half of the "brothers Martin" Joy Electrics Ronnie. As such, I had no idea that Trucker's Son was biographical, I only thought it an enjoyable send up of Coal Miner's Daughter. (A country music reference from someone who hates country music). The rockiest song on the album is Cry Me A River, most of the album is a easy listening, if not understanding.
As I said before, you may find gems here if you look. One gem is in the final cut, Lose My Mind. Listening to the song, it is obvious he is not talking about going crazy. I prefer to think that he is talking about the process of renewing his mind. He is "losing" his mind and putting on the mind of Christ. But that's just me.
Ever the perfectionist, just like his brother, he even apologizes for the album on his album. He may say he has a "song for the ages written on some pages at home.", but if he does, that's going to make an awesome 13th.
I give The Changing of the Guard a solid 4 Stars, one star subtracted for its brief running time. Will it be among the best of 2010? Maybe not, but there are four whole months to go, and this album tends to grow on you.
S59, YEAH.| Posted August 12, 2010
I'm so glad that I was able to preview this album. It's pretty good and I listened to it three times in a row. It's good, the lyrics are solid, the vocals are the same distinct "Starflyer 59" style. It'll definitely please the S59 fans... People who have never heard of them might have to listen a few times so that the songs can grow on them. One disappointment is that some of the songs sound very similar... HOWEVER, it's a pretty good album. The first songs are great.
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