Starflyer 59 has set the standard in the Christian industry for creativity for a number of years, but with greatness comes great expectations. Unfortunately, no band, Starflyer included, can ever consistently live up to the expectations. And of course there's bound to be some letdown after a classic album like Leave Here a Stranger.
Starflyer's 4th EP Can't Stop Eating features a hodgepodge of material for the diehard fans. It starts with "Compeating," a decent track, which is technically the only "new" Starflyer song on the EP. Then comes a cover of Bon Voyage's "West Coast Friendship," which feels a little strange without Julie Martin's vocals, but works nonetheless. Track three is the highlight of the album as Starflyer covers "Happy Birthday John" by Damien Jurado. Next is a stereo mix of "Give Up the War" from the group's last album. Ending the EP is "Theme from Dromedary," a so-so instrumental, which just can't compete with "Traffic Jam."
Generally, EPs are almost always disappointing and this one isn't any different, except for the covers, which might foreshadow a future Starflyer cover album. Moreover, Can't Stop Eating seems to be an intermission before the next act.
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Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #99Reviewed by Bryan KeenWhat Starflyer 59 couldn't quite pull off with their last long-play — a sonic pop aesthetic reminiscent of Pet Sounds — may well have been realized on Can't Stop Eating. There is really only one totally new song of the CD's five to gauge this melodic move, the first one, "Compeating." If you've been following along with the band, you won't be shocked with the new song (or the entire EP for that…Similar sounding releases
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1995Gold
2004I Am the Portuguese Blues
1995Le Vainqueur
2005The Last Laurel
1999Everybody Makes Mistakes
1997Americana
