930 Forums

=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: redsock on January 21, 2004, 02:28:00 pm

Title: Starsailor review...
Post by: redsock on January 21, 2004, 02:28:00 pm
Hey, if one of you regulars is going to Starsailor this weekend, do you want to write a review for it? We are putting up a review of their new album next week, and it would be cool to have a review of their show at the same time.
 
 No need to fight over it, I'm happy to take the first person who offers...
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on January 21, 2004, 02:40:00 pm
The Express said Starsailor and Elbow were the next Coldplay. So glad there will be more bands like Coldplay! They're amazing!
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: markie on January 21, 2004, 02:43:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by redsock:
 
 No need to fight over it, I'm happy to take the first person who offers...
I intend to go. I will do it.
 
 Rhett, die!
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on January 21, 2004, 02:56:00 pm
Why not just nick your review from this one?
 
 Starsailor
 Silence Is Easy
 [Capitol; 2003]
 Rating: 4.9
 The recipe for chart-topping Britpop these days seems fairly straightforward: start with a rock ballad, mix in lyrics about restless hearts and rolling meadows sung in a lilting falsetto by a northern golden boy, add layer upon layer of symphonic string arrangements, a sprinkle of piano here, a dash of plucked guitar there, and voila! See you at the Reading Festival, mate! Starsailor (the name comes from the Tim Buckley LP) revels in all of these romantic pretensions on Silence Is Easy, their melodramatic, overproduced, but not altogether unpleasant sophomore release.
 
 The new album covers a lot of the same territory as their platinum-selling 2001 debut, Love Is Here: Like any self-respecting English bard, singer/guitarist James Walsh piles-on references to clear skies, sunshine, cafes, rising seas, and a-love-that-will-somehow-find-a-way, which compliment the maudlin orchestral overtones on much of the album. Defiantly sappy, Silence Is Easy survives mostly on Walsh's oddly graceful singing. Unfortunately, the music on the whole is prosaic, even boring at times. It just sweeps right past you, like an unnoticed breeze.
 
 The release of the un-Spectorized Let It Be...Naked on Tuesday made abundantly clear the sort of havoc that Phil Spector can wreak on an album. And while only two of the tracks on Silence Is Easy were produced by the gun-toting maniac, his presence is palpable on the entire record. The song "Telling Them", for instance, starts out decently enough, with Walsh sounding like a young Robert Plant over Barry Westhead's piano playing and Ben Byrne's punctual drumming. But, thanks no doubt to Spector's influence, the band is quickly overtaken by a cello and some accompanying strings that work themselves into a sentimental lather worthy of a Rob Reiner film. "Fidelity", too, has the makings of a nice rock song, with cutting, tumultuous guitars and a catchy chorus. But it also feels too careful, too deliberate and fussed over to have a genuinely cathartic effect, and the overwrought harmonies bury the track before it's had a chance to live.
 
 Walsh sounds alternately like Thom Yorke, Neil Young, Chris Martin and Jeff Buckley, though he isn't a smidgen of the songwriter that any of them are (or were). His lyrics prove him incapable of understatement (a problem that apparently doesn't afflict him in conversation: "I think some of the last record sounded overwrought in parts," he said recently about Love Is Here). On Silence Is Easy, Walsh recycles truisms about love, sex, hate and co-dependance without any insights or significant lessons to add. Of course, few songwriters have anything consistently new to say, but in the course of an album, a song or two should catch you in a way that makes you sit up and say, "Yep." Walsh isn't quite there yet.
 
 "Four to the Floor" opens with a hip-hop beat and a funk bassline, but is soon engulfed by more strings, which promptly crowd out the other instruments. What at first sounds like the soundtrack to a 70s film car chase is instead a pathetically crafted metaphor for, what else, but the thrill of new love. "Four to the Floor, I was sure that you would be my girl," Walsh sings lamely. This is the point in the album where you might start thinking, "C'mon, man, fucking pull yourself together! Enough with the chicks already!"
 
 Despite these myriad complaints, Silence Is Easy actually has its share of tolerable moments. Walsh is undoubtedly talented and his songs can be endearing even in their shameless mushiness. Give him some time to shake off this Phil Spector phase (he'll ruin you like a diseased whore, Walsh!) and who knows how he'll develop musically. For now, silence would be better.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: mankie on January 21, 2004, 03:03:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
  The Express said Starsailor and Elbow were the next Coldplay. So glad there will be more bands like Coldplay! They're amazing!
If Elbow are to be the next Coldplay they need to fire themselves and hire a bunch of talentless dorks with pasty complexions instead.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: redsock on January 21, 2004, 03:06:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
  Why not just nick your review from this one?
 
Eh, it was too long.
 
 Thanks Mark...
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: sonickteam2 on January 21, 2004, 03:56:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
  The Express said Starsailor and Elbow were the next Coldplay. So glad there will be more bands like Coldplay! They're amazing!
i thought Markie was the only one who could quote from the express bible of music?   phooey.
 
   Elbow sounds nothing like Coldplay.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on January 21, 2004, 04:09:00 pm
I was quoting from the Express, the little freebie newspaper the nice black dude gives you when you're going into the metro here in DC. NOT the New Musical Express.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
   
Quote
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
  The Express said Starsailor and Elbow were the next Coldplay. So glad there will be more bands like Coldplay! They're amazing!
i thought Markie was the only one who could quote from the express bible of music?   phooey.
 
   Elbow sounds nothing like Coldplay. [/b]
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: tiia on January 21, 2004, 06:51:00 pm
I doesn't really matter who you were quoting.  By quoting you are endorsing the statement. It doesn't matter how bad the source is.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
 [QB] I was quoting from the Express, the little freebie newspaper the nice black dude gives you when you're going into the metro here in DC. NOT the New Musical Express.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on January 21, 2004, 06:57:00 pm
So, for example, if I quote from Bush's State of the Union Address, that means I am endorsing it? Your argument doesn't hold much validity.
 
 I was simply repeating something I read, and in pointing out that I was quoting from something, was disassociating whether I agreed with it or not.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by tiia:
  I doesn't really matter who you were quoting.  By quoting you are endorsing the statement. It doesn't matter how bad the source is.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
 [QB] I was quoting from the Express, the little freebie newspaper the nice black dude gives you when you're going into the metro here in DC. NOT the New Musical Express. [/b]
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: tiia on January 21, 2004, 07:07:00 pm
Well you have a point.  I guess if you qualify with a statement that defines your intended purpose....ie. look at what the silly prat just said"......".  But if you quote a source about music without saying that 'hey look at what the express said about such and such' aren't you in someway agreeing that Elbow sounds like Coldplay...
 
 maybe Im being too wax-intellectual about this.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
  So, for example, if I quote from Bush's State of the Union Address, that means I am endorsing it? Your argument doesn't hold much validity.
 
 I was simply repeating something I read, and in pointing out that I was quoting from something, was disassociating whether I agreed with it or not.
 
   
Quote
Originally posted by tiia:
  I doesn't really matter who you were quoting.  By quoting you are endorsing the statement. It doesn't matter how bad the source is.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
 [QB] I was quoting from the Express, the little freebie newspaper the nice black dude gives you when you're going into the metro here in DC. NOT the New Musical Express. [/b]
[/b]
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: sonickteam2 on January 21, 2004, 07:24:00 pm
he's implying that yet again he has to butt into peoples discussion with another negative statement.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on January 22, 2004, 11:03:00 am
Today's Express says, "The philosophy at work is, if it aint overwrought it aint worth being wrought in the first place." I didn't say it, the Express did.
 
 2 for 1 special with the 9:30 Club coupon. Starsailor must not be the big draw of the weekend...
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on January 22, 2004, 11:20:00 am
The thread title is "Starsailor review". I was simply doing just that, posting a Starsailor review. If this is a private discussion, why post it on an internet chatboard where everyone is allowed to comment?
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
  he's implying that yet again he has to butt into peoples discussion with another negative statement.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: stateless on January 22, 2004, 11:27:00 am
not quite following with the discussion here, but...
 
 i disagree with a lot of that review...
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: markie on January 22, 2004, 11:28:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by stateless:
  not quite following with the discussion here, but...
 
 i disagree with a lot of that review...
So do I. I think the "Spectorized" tracks are the strongest. I still think the album is not nearly as good as their first.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: sonickteam2 on January 22, 2004, 11:32:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by Mr. Unctuous:
  The thread title is "Starsailor review". I was simply doing just that, posting a Starsailor review. If this is a private discussion, why post it on an internet chatboard where everyone is allowed to comment?
 
   
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
  he's implying that yet again he has to butt into peoples discussion with another negative statement.
[/b]
"The Express said Starsailor and Elbow were the next Coldplay. So glad there will be more bands like Coldplay! They're amazing!"   that is what you originally offered.  Before you posted the review Rhett. dont pretend you dont remember being a buttmunch before posting the review.
 
  what does unctous mean anyway?
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: markie on January 22, 2004, 11:34:00 am
Dictionary (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=unctuous)
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: mankie on January 22, 2004, 11:37:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
  Dictionary (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=unctuous)
I love this board....I get to learn new words all the time.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: stateless on January 22, 2004, 11:42:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
   
Quote
Originally posted by stateless:
  not quite following with the discussion here, but...
 
 i disagree with a lot of that review...
So do I. I think the "Spectorized" tracks are the strongest. I still think the album is not nearly as good as their first. [/b]
I had a very different reaction to the 2nd album...some songs were more immediate, but as a whole, I guess the first album did make sense to me sooner.  That said, after listening to a number of songs on SIE a few more times, I grew to love them.  It's like all of a sudden I got it.  They made sense.  A couple of those songs I was iffy about at first are now my favorites on the album.  I definitely agree that 'Silence is Easy' is one of the stronger songs on there though...not so sure about 'White Dove.'
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: paige on January 22, 2004, 01:51:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
  I intend to go. I will do it.
 
 Rhett, die!
fight to the death! please! that would be smashing!
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Celeste on January 22, 2004, 02:36:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by tiia:
  maybe Im being too wax-intellectual about this
to the contrary, dear
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on January 22, 2004, 04:00:00 pm
Ok, so I posted a bit of the review from the Express, with my own positive commentary tacked on.
 
 I thought perhaps the Coldplay comparison might be helpful for the person wrinting the review for BY. Perhaps they could refute is as part of their review, or agree with it. eg: Some critics have compared Starsailor to Coldplay. This seems a bit redicuous based on their performance Sunday night, blah blah blah...
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
   
Quote
Originally posted by Mr. Unctuous:
  The thread title is "Starsailor review". I was simply doing just that, posting a Starsailor review. If this is a private discussion, why post it on an internet chatboard where everyone is allowed to comment?
 
   
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
  he's implying that yet again he has to butt into peoples discussion with another negative statement.
[/b]
"The Express said Starsailor and Elbow were the next Coldplay. So glad there will be more bands like Coldplay! They're amazing!"   that is what you originally offered.  Before you posted the review Rhett. dont pretend you dont remember being a buttmunch before posting the review.
 
  what does unctous mean anyway? [/b]
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: redsock on January 23, 2004, 05:26:00 pm
Is the two for one special with the Starsailor show actually real? Where does it actually say this? I might get dragged to the show if it is, but i want to be sure first.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on January 23, 2004, 05:34:00 pm
Yes, it's for real. They do it for shows that nobody seems to be buying tickets for. Print out the coupon from the email and bring to the box office the night of show.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by redsock:
  Is the two for one special with the Starsailor show actually real? Where does it actually say this? I might get dragged to the show if it is, but i want to be sure first.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: redsock on January 23, 2004, 05:37:00 pm
Ah, its an e-mail....gotcha...yeah, they refuse to send me those things for some reason. Does someone want to hook a brother up?
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: ratioci nation on January 23, 2004, 05:41:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by redsock:
  Ah, its an e-mail....gotcha...yeah, they refuse to send me those things for some reason. Does someone want to hook a brother up?
i will check my email when I get home and see if I have it, if so, I will forward
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: redsock on January 23, 2004, 05:56:00 pm
thanks pollard....i knew someone loves me...
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: redsock on January 23, 2004, 06:12:00 pm
pollard no worries...someone else loves me too, i got it. but thanks.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: lily1 on January 23, 2004, 09:23:00 pm
i'm really surprised by this 2 for 1 deal--starsailor filled the place about 1/2 last year--not to bad for a one album band. they've gotten more hype this time around so, while not expecting a sellout, i was expecting an equal to or better than turnout than prior.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: kosmo vinyl on January 24, 2004, 07:14:00 pm
wave to dj booth... i'm filling in a the last minute
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: paige on January 24, 2004, 08:18:00 pm
just a reminder -- come to the club tonight to see a hot scottish lad -- and now kosmo in the dj booth!   :p
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Samantha on January 24, 2004, 09:51:00 pm
I'll be there...see you guys  :D
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Yank on January 25, 2004, 08:23:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by stateless:
   
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
     
Quote
Originally posted by stateless:
  not quite following with the discussion here, but...
 
 i disagree with a lot of that review...
So do I. I think the "Spectorized" tracks are the strongest. I still think the album is not nearly as good as their first. [/b]
I had a very different reaction to the 2nd album...some songs were more immediate, but as a whole, I guess the first album did make sense to me sooner.  That said, after listening to a number of songs on SIE a few more times, I grew to love them.  It's like all of a sudden I got it.  They made sense.  A couple of those songs I was iffy about at first are now my favorites on the album.  I definitely agree that 'Silence is Easy' is one of the stronger songs on there though...not so sure about 'White Dove.' [/b]
Hummm?  Starsailor never came across to me as being that 'deep'.  If music was was a food substitute, they'd be Sweet And Lo.  But I'll be the first to admit, I could be missing the point.  If you like bands like Starsailor, Coldplay and Travis, you'll love Keane!  The band has no guitars and all the songs that I've heard so far are piano ballads.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: paige on January 25, 2004, 11:57:00 am
so, how did everyone enjoy the show last night? i thought starsailor sounded great!
 
 what did you guys think of the lovely scottish lad johnathan rice? minus the random political outburst, i thought it was great!
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: ratioci nation on January 25, 2004, 01:10:00 pm
I thought the show was very good, their songs are what they are, enjoyable, but nothing amazing, I wish the club could sound that good everynight, it was just about perfect.  Not a bad dj either  ;) .  
 
 Missed the opener.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: kurosawa-b/w on January 25, 2004, 01:41:00 pm
I thought Johnathan Rice was lovely. A very strong, low voice. I would love to hear what he sounds like with a full band, but it seems like he's more the singer songwriter type. I liked his political outburst and his comment about the obnoxious talkers: "I know we are all friends here, but if you loved me half as much as Starsailor, you would be a bit quieter." Some of his songs were accompanied with a loud roar from the crowd -grrrr.
 
 And Starsailor were strong. They are very earnest and sincere on stage -if a bit awkward. I still prefer Gomez in terms of the music itself. But Starsailor always have a really strong show and are enjoyable to see. I don't take a lot from it but you can't help but like the guys. The sound mix was incredible.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: lily1 on January 25, 2004, 01:56:00 pm
the should would have been great if it were not for all the drunken fuck wits there that nearly ruined the show. we tried to move to a different spot and no matter where we went, there were drunken fuck wits.
 
 the times the drunken fuckwits were at the bar, the band sounded great. they are much more confident on stage,  but still not at that overinflated ego stage yet.
 
 jonathan rice's set was better in the second half than the first half. does he normally play with a full band?
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: paige on January 25, 2004, 02:29:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by kurosawa-b/w:
  I thought Johnathan Rice was lovely. A very strong, low voice. I would love to hear what he sounds like with a full band, but it seems like he's more the singer songwriter type. I liked his political outburst and his comment about the obnoxious talkers: "I know we are all friends here, but if you loved me half as much as Starsailor, you would be a bit quieter." Some of his songs were accompanied with a loud roar from the crowd -grrrr.
 
 And Starsailor were strong... The sound mix was incredible.
i loved that little comment he made about being quiet. and oh, the accent. gets me every time. i don't know if he usually plays with a full band, but i think he'd sound really great with some more rockin' force behind him. the loud roars from the crowd were most likely from his family and friends - they were the crazy scots screaming his name. nothing like family pride   :p  
 
 i think the reason i enjoyed starsailor so much was because of the sound mixing -- it was fantastic! it's been a while since i have been to 930 and heard a show sound that clear and great.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Jaguär on January 25, 2004, 02:35:00 pm
Was he as cute in person?   :p  
 
 Sir HC, did you have your hands in the mixing?
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: redsock on January 25, 2004, 02:53:00 pm
I'm honestly not even a fan, but I thought Starsailor really sounded great. I knew most of their stuff, just from hearing it. Even though to me, most of it sounds alike. Still it was pleasant enough
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Sweetjoy on January 25, 2004, 03:45:00 pm
The sound was amazing. Starsailor were musically very tight. The break in Love Is Here was breathtaking. Four To The Floor and Silence Is Easy, the two songs I know off the new album, both came across quite well, I thought. All around an excellent performance.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: kosmo vinyl on January 25, 2004, 04:16:00 pm
starsailor had their own sound techs with them...  which of course is always going to help.  
 
 my dj setlist is on it's way...
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: kosmo vinyl on January 25, 2004, 05:18:00 pm
as promised...
 
 Starsailor & Johnathan Rice
 9:30 Club
 Washington, DC
 1/24/04
 
 Goldfrapp - "Human"
 Massive Attack - "Teardrop"
 Beth Orton - "Tangent"
 Paul Weller - "Wildwood (Portishead remix)"
 Cocteau Twins - "Cherry-Coloured Funk"
 Lush - "500(Shake Baby Shake)"
 Lightening Seeds - "Lucky"
 Phoenix - "Too Young"
 Ocean Color Scene - "The Riverboat Song"
 Cast - "Alright"
 Supergrass - "Grace"
 Elastica - "Car Song"
 T. Rex - "Get It On"
 Primal Scream - "Rocks"
 Oasis - "Rock 'n' Roll Star"
 Dandy Warhols - "Boys Better"
 Stone Roses - "Elephant Stomp"
 Delgados - "Hate Is All You Need"
 De Novo Dahl - "Monster Proof" (http://www.denovodahl.com)
 Spearmint - "I Can't Sleep"
 Aztec Camera - "The Crying Scene"
 Ash - "Sometimes"
 XTC - "This World Over"
 
 Johnathan Rice Set
 
 Elliot Smith - "Rose Parade"
 The Mood Elevator  - "Beginners Luck" on  Doppler Records
 Belle & Sebastian - "Sleep the Clock Around"
 Splitsville - "I Wish I Had Never Meet You"
 Robbie Williams - "Killing Me"
 Idlewild - "Live in a Hiding Place"
 Suede - "My Insatiable One"
 
 Starsailor Set
 
 The Waxwings - "Keeping the Sparks"
 Charlatans - "Weirdo"
 St. Etienne - "Only Love Can Break Your Heart"
 Electronic - "Make it Happen"
 One Dove - "Fallen"
 Underworld - "Rez"
 
  more links (http://www.hi-fipop.com/930012504.html)
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: thirsty moore on January 25, 2004, 06:28:00 pm
Seriously Kosmo, I only heard your set after the Starsailor gig but I thought every song was excellent.  I'd never heard any of them before.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: paige on January 25, 2004, 07:09:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by thirsty moore:
  Seriously Kosmo, I only heard your set after the Starsailor gig but I thought every song was excellent.  I'd never heard any of them before.
me too! you did a great job with the music. yay for kosmo.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: this monkey on January 25, 2004, 07:26:00 pm
Great job kosmo!  I don't know you, but when I walked in, the first song I heard was Elastica and after a while I kind of wondered if it was someone from the board DJ-ing.  It was perfect, especially the set between JR and Starsailor.
 
 I thought the show was great, too, by the way.  Well, I wasn't too impressed with Jonathan Rice, I just think I've seen far too many singer/songwriters with political rants, and he's all of what... thirteen?  He couldn't be a day over fourteen, anyway.  But Starsailor were rocking and sweet.  My friend didn't like them, said they lacked the "dynamics" of a band like the Strokes (his example)... I saw the Strokes once at the 9:30 Club and was bored to death.  Starsailor may be melodramatic and far too earnest, but you know, I'll take a band that smiles and wears their hearts on their sleeves and appreciates the audience over some aloof hipsters in $200 jeans any day.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: paige on January 25, 2004, 07:32:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by this monkey:
 
 
 I thought the show was great, too, by the way.  Well, I wasn't too impressed with Jonathan Rice, I just think I've seen far too many singer/songwriters with political rants, and he's all of what... thirteen?  He couldn't be a day over fourteen, anyway.  
ahem- he's 20, thank you very much   ;)
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: poorlulu on January 25, 2004, 09:00:00 pm
starsailor were really very good,  james's voice is incredible.........could have done without the homage to bruce springsteen and u2 though...........
 
 but that was one of the worst audiences i've ever had the misfortune of standing in.............i blame mark e, pollard and thirsty for leaving so late and meaning we didn't get to the front..........ya bastids!!!!
 
 thanks josh for getting me upstairs to see the man on the wheels of steel..........
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Samantha on January 26, 2004, 02:18:00 am
yes it was a fantastic show.  wish I would've known I was going sooner, but it was a last minute thing, otherwise maybe some of us could have met up.  I didn't hear much of JR, I went with a friend I hadn't seen in a year and we were busy chatting & catching up.  we came half way through his set.
 kosmo: I didn't hear the song, but I noticed in your list you played Phoenix...I don't even remember how I heard of them, but I used to be addicted to that band, yet I could never find ANYTHING on them, or any of their music.  what do you know about them?? are they still around?
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on January 26, 2004, 10:43:00 am
Post review
 
 Starsailor
 
 Starsailor's James Walsh is unlikely to gain admittance to the intellectual wing of the Brit-pop movement, but there's no denying his knack for writing fabulously fetching melodies. And while being swept away in a tidal wave of luscious sound, who gives a fig about alienation? And who cares if the lyrics are purest treacle?
 
 Saturday at the 9:30 club, Starsailor -- whose up-and-coming career received a welcome boost of publicity after legendary producer (and alleged killer) Phil Spector broke a two-decade silence to produce a pair of songs on its latest release, last year's "Silence Is Easy" -- played a soaring set that included an energetic version of the impossibly catchy title track, a lovely "Lullaby," and, for a show-closer, a bracing "Good Souls." A solo Walsh even threw in spirited covers of U2's "All I Want Is You" -- truncated because, as he sheepishly admitted, "I don't know the words" -- and Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road."
 
 There's no mistaking Walsh for any of Springsteen's devil-may-care characters. Indeed, he may be the first rocker ever to preface a song with the statement "We're the nice boys of rock, and it's getting past our bedtime." Born to run? Hardly. But to croon? You can bet on it.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: kosmo vinyl on January 26, 2004, 12:11:00 pm
thanks everybody for the kind words regarding saturday's set.  it keeps me motivated to continue doing something i really enjoy doing. even if i tend to over function about what i'm going to spin.
 
 phoenix is a band i would have never heard about had it not been mentioned on a listserve when the record came out.  i really dig "United" and think everyone one should check it out.  it's like listing to a schizo compliation record.  
 
 they were signed to Source records in france, same as Air, and distributed in the US by Astralwerks.  the last band website I could find was really out of date and seems to have disappeared since then.  even the Source records
 website has vanished.  if you do a google search you can find outdated info via the astralwerks site.  they did a handful of dates in europe when the record came and apparently haven't been heard from since.  shame because the record is a fun listen and very refreshing.  hell it must be good... pitchfork gave a 8.6   ;)
 
 i have the us release plus a could cd singles if anyone is interested in hearing them.  the record probably can be found in most cutout bins at this point too...
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: lily1 on January 26, 2004, 01:16:00 pm
kosmo, that was a great set. any chance you could easily burn onto cd and could whisk off as a mix to me?
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: markie on January 26, 2004, 01:19:00 pm
There is a review of the starsailor gig on bigyawn.net too...........
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on January 26, 2004, 01:25:00 pm
They had enough taste to cover my favorite Springsteen song. Good for them. Mary Lou Lord does a fine job with Thunder Road too.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: redsock on January 26, 2004, 04:18:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
  There is a review of the starsailor gig on bigyawn.net too...........
Markie, you mean there is a fucking amazingly well-written review on the starsailor gig on BigYawn.net.   :D
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: markie on January 26, 2004, 04:26:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by redsock:
  Markie, you mean there is a fucking amazingly well-written review on the starsailor gig on BigYawn.net.    :D  
I am not into self-aggrandizement. I am probably the smartest person I know.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Celeste on January 26, 2004, 04:46:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
 I am probably the smartest person I know.
no great claim, considering most of the folks you know seem to be from this board  ;)
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on January 26, 2004, 05:09:00 pm
Complaints about the crowd from someone who routinely heckles performers. Unfrigginbelievable.
 
   :D  
Quote
Originally posted by redsock:
   
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
  There is a review of the starsailor gig on bigyawn.net too...........
Markie, you mean there is a fucking amazingly well-written review on the starsailor gig on BigYawn.net.    :D  [/b]
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: kosmo vinyl on January 26, 2004, 06:12:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by lily1:
  kosmo, that was a great set. any chance you could easily burn onto cd and could whisk off as a mix to me?
yeah i can do that, kosmette has already requested i recreate the mix for her ipod  :D  it will give me a chance to put together some cds for my own use when djing as well. can't promise it this week because i've got other projects in the works.  
 
 the catch is you have to at least promise to checkout de novo dahl, splitsville, the mood elevator and the waxwings.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on January 26, 2004, 06:22:00 pm
Kosmo, what's the deal with the Waxwings first album vs. second album? I can only find clips from the first one, and it sounds good. Reviews of the second one seem to be unfavorable, and say they took a turn toward a more garage-y sound. Can't find any clips.
 
    I'm guessing that the first one is the one I'd like more?
 
    Also saw their new one is being produced by Brendan Benson...perhaps a return to the sound of the first one?
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
   
Quote
Originally posted by lily1:
  kosmo, that was a great set. any chance you could easily burn onto cd and could whisk off as a mix to me?
yeah i can do that, kosmette has already requested i recreate the mix for her ipod   :D   it will give me a chance to put together some cds for my own use when djing as well. can't promise it this week because i've got other projects in the works.  
 
 the catch is you have to at least promise to checkout de novo dahl, splitsville, the mood elevator and the waxwings. [/b]
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: kosmo vinyl on January 26, 2004, 06:40:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Mr. Unctuous:
  Kosmo, what's the deal with the Waxwings first album vs. second album? I can only find clips from the first one, and it sounds good. Reviews of the second one seem to be unfavorable, and say they took a turn toward a more garage-y sound. Can't find any clips.
 
    I'm guessing that the first one is the one I'd like more?
 
    Also saw their new one is being produced by Brendan Benson... perhaps a return to the sound of the first one?
 
 
Well the second one is tougher sounding then the first.  Probably as a friend from Detroit the result of being out on tour and rocking out.  I just recently got the second one and haven't given it to many spins.  You'll be hard pressed to find either of those cds, I think the second is out of print already, because of the infamous  letter (http://www.defectiveyeti.com/angry.txt)  from the label owner to the band that circulated the internet last year.  
 
 So yes the first one is quieter more ringing 12 string sounding than the second, even a bit like the stones roses on a couple numbers.  don't know about a return in sound to the first, other than the waxwings guitarist was touring briefly with brendan as a fill-in.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Samantha on January 26, 2004, 08:56:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
  thanks everybody for the kind words regarding saturday's set.  it keeps me motivated to continue doing something i really enjoy doing. even if i tend to over function about what i'm going to spin.
 
 phoenix is a band i would have never heard about had it not been mentioned on a listserve when the record came out.  i really dig "United" and think everyone one should check it out.  it's like listing to a schizo compliation record.  
 
 they were signed to Source records in france, same as Air, and distributed in the US by Astralwerks.  the last band website I could find was really out of date and seems to have disappeared since then.  even the Source records
 website has vanished.  if you do a google search you can find outdated info via the astralwerks site.  they did a handful of dates in europe when the record came and apparently haven't been heard from since.  shame because the record is a fun listen and very refreshing.  hell it must be good... pitchfork gave a 8.6    ;)  
 
 i have the us release plus a could cd singles if anyone is interested in hearing them.  the record probably can be found in most cutout bins at this point too...
that's so awesome, you're the first person I've met who knows who they are.  I haven't been able to find United in a store anywhere.  I've had the same problems finding info on them online.  it's really obnoxious!!  I used to be outright addicted to them, then because of lack of material I just kind of forgot them, thanks for reminding me!
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: lily1 on January 26, 2004, 11:45:00 pm
excellent. thanks kosmo!
 
 btw, i already know of the waxwings and have seen them live. sadly, they did nothing for me.
 
   
Quote
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
  /QUOTE]yeah i can do that, osmette has already requested i recreate the mix for her ipod    :D    it will give me a chance to put together some cds for my own use when djing as well. can't promise it this week because i've got other projects in the works.  
 
 the catch is you have to at least promise to checkout de novo dahl, splitsville, the mood elevator and the waxwings.
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: Richard D Taylor on January 27, 2004, 12:40:00 am
Quote
If you like bands like Starsailor, Coldplay and Travis, you'll love Keane!  The band has no guitars and all the songs that I've heard so far are piano ballads.
I definitely second the recommendation for Keane.  I think their music would also appeal to music fans who are into The Smiths, James, and The Beautiful South. "This is the Last Time" (which I'm hoping will appear on their debut album) was my favorite single from last year...
Title: Re: Starsailor review...
Post by: lily1 on January 27, 2004, 01:36:00 pm
oh, a friend in the uk told me about them. i think they've only toured in and around london though. correct me if i'm wrong.
 
 tom mcrae is a recommendation also.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by friend of Guy Chadwick:
 [QB]
Quote
If you like bands like Starsailor, Coldplay and Travis, you'll love Keane!  The band has no guitars and all the songs that I've heard so far are piano ballads.