I 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 trademark of the early albums. Added are keyboards and synthesized strings. Jason Martin's vocals still seem sometimes shy and just part of the background; however, when the songs are quieter, there's less sonically to hide behind. Compared to The Fashion Focus, the vocals are buried a bit more, but nowhere near to the extent as on albums like Silver and Gold.
The mood has not changed, however. Starflyer 59 still keeps the atmosphere dreamy and melancholy. Yeah, the guitars aren't as loud and heavy, but they're still thick, and the legendary Martin riffs are great as always. Some of the songs, especially "No More Shows," combine the fuzzy guitar with upbeat rhythms to create a more energetic vibe, but those moments are the exception. One of my favorite songs on the album, "My Name," is an excursion into a No Depression/alt. country type sound; great guitar lines joins with perfect rhythm and Jason's voice fits in perfectly. The album ends (or does it?) with "The Party," which incorporates a piano, drum machine, soft lounge sounds, and Jason convincing us he could be a lounge singer anytime he pleases.
Overall, Everybody Makes Mistakes is an inventive album, as is the usual for SF59. There are places where the guys seem to be doing a parody of themselves ("Play the C Chord" comes to mind), but at the same time, when you have found a great song, why not bask in it a bit? It's taking me a while to get used to so much use of the keyboards, but I do have to admit that they are used very well. If you're already a fan of the band, you may at first question the progression this album shows (like I did), but it's still a wonderful recording. If you haven't looked into Starflyer 59 yet, then this is a good album with which to start. Dreary has never been so beautiful.
4/5
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…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…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Israel KlossEverybody 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…Similar sounding releases
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