The Lost Archives Surfacing the reviews of our forgotten youth
    Back to The Lost Archives
    The Phantom Tollbooth 1997/Starflyer 59
    Starflyer 59 — Americana cover

    Starflyer 59

    Americana

    (1997)

    Reviewed by Josh Spencer

    DiscogsApple MusicTIDALAmazon MusicSpotifyYouTube Music
    Label Tooth & Nail RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth1997
    alternative rockdream popindie rockshoegaze

    It took me forever to review this album, because I could never make it all the way through. I would always fall asleep by the 3rd song or so. Don't get me wrong--this is groovy stuff, but their steady, dreamy rhythms and floating vocals put me out every time. I expected this album to be pretty different from previous efforts, but it sounds like the same ole S59 to me. I think of these guys like Smashing Pumpkins--great music, but they've taken their style about as far as it can go.

    3.5 tocks

    Other coverage for this album

    Opus 2000Reviewed by Jason MoreheadWith Starflyer's early albums, one could compare them to My Bloody Valentine, Swervedriver, Sonic Youth, Jesus and Mary Chain, etc. Americana is different. This is by far the most "rock and roll" of Starflyer's albums, but that doesn't mean it's boring and contrived. One needs only to hear the swirling moogs and pop hooks on "The Hearttaker" (one of the best songs Martin has ever written) or the…7ball #12Reviewed by Dan MacIntoshWith Americana it's probably fair to say Starflyer 59 has grown out of its shoegazer shoes. While there's nothing here to cause the average My Bloody Valentine fan to jump ship, there are plenty of new stylistic twists to make new fans out of those not already initiated into the vibe of this fine band. Ringleader Jason Martin is joined by Wayne Everett (drums) and Eric Campuzano (bass), both…Garlic Press #6Reviewed by krystal violetI was surprised the first time i heard this, not because of any strange style departures but ironically, due to the lack thereof, especially since this album was being touted as just a "rock and roll album" as opposed to the spacey wall of sound thing which dominated the silver and gold albums. This is unmistakably Starflyer guitar, vocals and even snare dreaminess, mind you, more of a simple,…

    Similar sounding releases

    2003The Prayer ChainHere Comes the Rust1997Common ChildrenDelicate Fade2004They Sang As They SlewGet Well1998DumpsterSee Through Me1999LuxuryLuxury2005StatisticsOften Lie

    More from Starflyer 59

    2004I Am the Portuguese Blues1999Fell in Love at 222002Can't Stop Eating1995Le Vainqueur2003Old1999Everybody Makes Mistakes

    Also in The Phantom Tollbooth 1997

    1997Dime Store ProphetsFantastic Distraction1995Son VoltTrace1997BuckStops Here!1997Various ArtistsFull Frontal Lobotomy1997Model EngineThe Lean Years Tradition1997The ChoirLet It Fly