Label: Tooth & Nail

Web site: sf59.com

Release Date: Sept. 12, 2006

Starflyer 59 - My Island
Matthew Ralph

After the praise I lavished on Starflyer 59's last record, I was curious to see how Jason Martin and friends would follow up what was arguably the band's finest effort since the still brilliant silver-covered debut.

One thing is for certain - fans of this tragically underrated band haven't had to wait long. "My Island" keeps the five-year string of a release a year in tact for the prolific outfit, an outstanding feat considering how many records the band's more spotlighted contemporaries have put out in the same span.

Since releasing the aforementioned "Silver" album in 1993, there have been 15 releases under the Starflyer name, this being the tenth full-length. For those keeping track, that's 15 releases in 13 years.

Evolving and experimenting further with an always well executed formula (at least on record), "My Island" sees the band continue its trip down '80s rock memory lane and building on the pop successes of previous efforts "Old" and "Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice."

Unlike so many of the revival acts experiencing a resurgence of popularity these days, Martin's music is not a fashioned or marketed attempt at reaching a demographic. This is not here today, gone tomorrow music. It's more like the kind of music that will be rediscovered in a different era and praised for its distinction from the crap of its time.

"It's Alright Blondie" with its obvious reference to the '80s great is perhaps as catchy and danceable of a song as Starflyer 59 has ever produced (though "No New Kinda Story" may still have a slight edge). Similarly, the album's title track is so upbeat, it's hard to not move along to the bouncy beat and the fuzz of the keyboard. As a fan of the band's melancholy shoegazer brilliance from the '90s, I'm not sure I would have thought I'd one day want to dance to a Martin-penned tune, but here you have just that.

This of course doesn't mean that Martin's lyrics are a party. With "Lifeguard," Martin again explores the light/dark life/death themes so prevalent in his work. Reminiscent of Old's "My First Heart Attack", the song is serious yet catchy when he sings, "In my moment of crisis, could I get some relief?"

"Ideas for the Talented" with its Pixies-sounding guitar riff ends the record in a familiar less than 40-minute Starflyer fasion, but it does so on a positive note.

Don't be surprised if this album makes its way on the year end lists of the same reviewers who name-dropped the last album.

posted [11.12.06]

2002-2006 White Elephant Productions