Starflyer 59's release of their new album "Old" marks a full decade for one of the most prolific, innovative and memorable bands in recent history. While most would be considered lucky to get beyond a sophomore release, Starflyer 59 have come into their own as a truly seasoned rock band. As its rare for a band to make it to the five year mark, even fewer are able to create music that stands the test of time over the course of a decade. Those new to Starflyer could start listening to virtually anything in their catalog and be surprised by the ingenuity of their approach even if said album was released seven or eight years ago. Whether one begins with the 70's styled guitar rock anthems present on the Gold album from '95 or with last years Beach Boys/Daniel Amos inflected Leave This Place A Stranger, the listener will notice an undeniable trait: truly timeless song craft.
"It's two plus two," states front man Jason Martin of the bands formulaic approach. "Song writing either makes sense or it doesn't. This chord goes into this chord for a chorus." While Martin's approach may seem unromantic or simplistic to some, one thing is undeniably clear: within today's mediocre popular music landscape, song craft has become a long lost art. As it was so well put in Alan Licht's popular culture musings in his book "An Emotional Memoir of Martha Quinn" of last year, it's the songs with melody that stand truly the test of time. All the while, the lack of roots in much of the last couple decades of underground music's offerings leaves the other un-anchored musical meanderings completely forgettable.
"The fans are gonna freak out," Martin says of the bands latest offering "Old". "This is the music I really enjoyed as a kid. I hope people understand that we're taking it seriously, that this is really what we've been wanting to do." Though "Old" isn't a departure from the bands previous efforts, there certainly is a new take on the bands Transmuted Brit-rock stylings. With the help of new hands on deck Richard Swift (Mellotron) and percussion expert Frank Lenz, the subtle approach to 70's sounding progressive rock that in the hands of others ordinarily lends itself to art kitsch, comes off as a fresh take on long overlooked influences. "We're more mature than we used to be," confesses Martin, "we're not as concerned with looking cool." Martin's are good news for the uninitiated listener as Starflyer 59 are just the ones to breathe new life into the musty archives of American rock.
The saying "there's nothing new under the sun" still stands even in the world of rock. But while most bands are busy reveling in the rock and roll dream, drunk on their own egos, Starflyer 59 keep things in humble perspective with the ponderings of day-to-day life. While the songs "Fell in Love at 22", "I Drive A Lot" and "We're the Ordinary" of previous releases may seem un-flashy, it's the realness of the themes that strengthen Starflyer's musical offerings. And while the new album "Old" may touch on such sobering topics as "My First Heart Attack", lost friends and failing marriages, it seems as though the members of Starflyer aren't growing old so much as they're just becoming wiser. It's that very maturity that Starflyer 59 has proved, long outlives the fads.
Source: http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/starflyer59.html
