The Fashion Focus
Artist: Starflyer 59
Label: Tooth and Nail Records
Tracks 12; Time: 43:32 minutes
Starflyer 59’s most recent effort, The Fashion Focus, is
the latest chapter in Starflyer’s history of experimental Christian rock.
My first experience with the band was the “silver” album, their debut self-titled
CD. I quickly became quite fond of their characteristic dream-pop, distorted
sound that was a delight to the subconscious. Perhaps I was just expecting
more of the same, or perhaps I had my hopes set too high for this album.
Whatever the case, The Fashion Focus does not do for me what previous
albums have.
This is not to say that this album does not have its bright spots. It starts off strong with "I Drive a Lot" and the seventh track, "The Birthrite," is reminiscent of their older material as well. Track eleven, "Too Much Fun," begins in the same way, but soon changes focus, heading in the same direction as a lot of songs on this album do towards a hybrid Radiohead/Oasis sound instead of the Starflyer I am used to hearing.
In the end, while the album certainly isn’t terrible, not being a fan of either of the aforementioned bands, it did not hold the appeal for me that their older efforts do. I am sure that many will still enjoy this album so I nonetheless recommend it, with noted reservations.
Corey Welton (11/18/98)
The Fashion Focus
Artist: Starflyer 59
Label: Tooth & Nail
Time: 12 tracks / 43:32
In college I'd always pop in a Starflyer 59 album whenever I wanted
to fall asleep. Despite the sludge-heavy guitars, I'd be out cold
halfway through. Don't get me wrong--I loved the band--but the same sleepy
melodies in every song simply lullabied me into dreamland.
How ironic, then, that their mellowest album to date has been the
only one to keep me awake all the way through. I figured Starflyer
59, like Smashing Pumpkins, had done about all they could do with their
sound. Thankfully, so did they, surprising me with an amazing album where
the heaviness takes a backseat to the lazy melodies, retro-rock vibes,
organ, and even acoustic strummings. It's sublime.
In spite of obviously and intentionally borrowing from some well-known
songs and bands from the late '60s/early '70s, The Fashion Focus
is by far one of the best albums to come out in recent years. The tab for
the bass line in "Sundown" ought to be written out next to the word
"cool" in the dictionary, and makes that song a verified classic.
I won't even go into the next track, "Fell in Love at 22." The stripped
sound is a blessing, giving the few distortion droners much more punch,
rather than having them all blend together as usual.
This is the album I've wished they'd make since drooling uncontrollably
over "She's the Queen" from the maxi-EP of the same name. Nothing here
quite that heart-stoppingly slow, but it's the same otherworldly
lounge-of-sad-love mood.
By Josh Spencer (12/17/98)
