All Star United

    All Star United

    Nashville, Tennessee12 reviews across 4 releases

    alternative rockbritpoppop rockpower pop
    DiscogsInstagram

    All Star United was a Nashville Christian rock band formed in 1996 by Ian Eskelin, initially as an expanded backing group for his solo work. The early lineup's music combined British pop instincts with American rock, built around bright guitar hooks, quick choruses and Eskelin's sarcastic writing. The 1997 debut, All Star United, made jokes about Christian consumerism while allowing room for direct songs about relationships and faith; its hidden track and cartoonish presentation fit the band's deliberately silly side. International Anthems for the Human Race enlarged the formula in 1998, adding denser production, synthesizers, brass and strings while moving from the debut's Oasis and Blur coloration toward chunkier guitar pop. The reviews also found room for lounge, blues and rockabilly touches. By Revolution in 2002, the band had turned toward a gentler, more acoustic Britpop sound, though the satire remained.

    After Revolution, All Star United reduced its touring, while Eskelin worked on a solo project and produced records for other artists. The move to Furious? Records coincided with personnel changes; by the 2002 recording, Eskelin was the only original member, and most of the instrumental parts came from session players, leaving less of the earlier band atmosphere. In 2007, several early members returned for Love and Radiation, bringing the group back after a lengthy hiatus. The band then released The Good Album in January 2010, with Eskelin still serving as its central songwriter and vocalist. That release followed his growing work as a producer outside the group.

    4 releases reviewed