Everybody makes mistakes, but Starflyer 59 hasn't lately. This piece of art is full of dark and atmospheric tunes that move away from Starflyer's previous noise-pop sound. The monotone vocals work well with the dragging, dark and plodding tempo of the music. This album could be classified as slacker-rock. The whole band almost sounds like they are inches away from unplugging the guitars and shutting down the show. It makes for a very interesting sound.
Each song has a subtle and quiet continuity to it in the tradition of Pink Floyd. The vocals and the music complement each other because they have a mutual sound of reluctance to them. Reluctance is a good adjective to describe this album. It could have been the name of the album.
Starflyer has created introspective lounge rock. The unifying factor through the album is its aggressive slackness-- yes, it is an enigma, a self-contradiction. They achieve one of the most energizing factors in all art--to portray paradox and the tension it causes the receiver. Although, at first listen, the album's sound is the opposite of tense, if you listen closely, you'll hear the tension of musical contradictions (strained vocals spoken quietly and half-tempo guitars in front of full-tempo drums). It almost seems like Starflyer made a half-effort, but it is just an effective musical device. It is the brilliance of paradox in art.
Space guitars really add to the ethereal and slack sound in "A Dethroned King," yet, it is not a typical space guitar but more like a schizophrenic harpsichord space guitar that alternates with a doom bass line. In this album, the bass guitar is more important than in any album I've heard in a while. It is refreshing. "No More Shows," is fantastic. It seems to be mocking the jangle-rock sound, and it has a smooth, hook-laden bass line that repeats with a hypnotic quality, but it is too short. "Going Places" moves back to atmospheric mood music and track nine most closely resembles a Pink Floydish song. The hidden track, a jazz riff, just confirms Starflyer's musical versatility and confirms to this reviewer that the album was a purposed effort at the slacker-lounge-rock sound. This album has enough winners to earn my coveted vote for "Album of the Month."
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #81Reviewed by David M. PoggeThis is what you would call a masterpiece; a way to remove all remaining doubt in your mind of the pure pop genius of Jason Martin's song-crafting. With their seventh CD release to date, Jason and Co. once again deliver the goods without disappointment. Soft, dreamy vocals, 70's style drums and an overall relaxing, atmospheric vibe all have their place here, taking Starflyer's signature sound to…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by ConradDrony pop. I have always hated this genre because it bores me to tears. BUT! For some reason this album actually has something to it - Good songs. This album is stripped down to vocals, guitars and other instruments that are meant to compliment, not complicate the song. Actually, a lot of this has a traditional kind of feel to it. With slide guitar or piano in parts, these songs come across as…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by Tom BastianI was never really a fan of Starflyer 59's earlier material, but I think if you listen to the first few albums then listen to this one you will hear a definite difference. Less of that distorted guitar/vocals/bass sound, and more of an overall pop sound. You can actually sing along with these songs and they even begin to stay in your head. The songs on this release are simple, but in a good way.…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by TimI genuinely enjoyed this record. The arrangement of this album is wonderful. From the violins to other odd instruments, this record changes every song. I don't particularly like the singers voice...but it is still enjoyable. B-Opus 2000Reviewed by Jason MoreheadYou've got to love self-deprecating humor. Only someone like Jason Martin (or perhaps David Bazan) would name their most ambitious album Everybody Makes Mistakes. If anything, this album should put to rest that Starflyer 59 is a "shoegazer" band. The only shoegazer album that Starflyer ever released was Silver, which is still one of the best darn debut albums I've ever heard. One of the fun…Exit Zine 1999Reviewed by Joel ThomasI can't wait to see all the clever ways reviewers, critics, and my fellow message-board and discussion-list junkies will begin their reviews of the new Starflyer 59 album by making some comment about the title, Everybody Makes Mistakes. To some, it will seem as if Jason Martin, Jeff Cloud, and friends have indeed made a mistake. Gone are the screeching guitars and heavy riffs that were a…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Michial FarmerThe title of Starflyer 59's new album may offer some hope for failures, but contrary to the clichéd proverb, I haven't heard Jason Martin make a mistake yet. From the wall-of-noise in Silver and Gold to the big rock sound of Americana to the Radiohead-esque navel-gazing of The Fashion Focus, Martin and his revolving-door cast have created some of the most melancholy music this side of My Bloody…Similar sounding releases
2005Lake TroutNot Them You
2002DovesThe Last Broadcast
2004StarsSet Yourself On Fire
2004Viva VoceThe Heat Can Melt Your Brain
2002The Gloria RecordStart Here
1997RadioheadOK ComputerMore from Starflyer 59
2002Can't Stop Eating
2000Easy Come, Easy Go
2004I Am the Portuguese Blues
1994Silver
2003Old
1999Fell in Love at 22
