Some songwriters, like Terry Taylor or Bob Dylan, have a love affair with words. Others, like Brian Wilson, place their fascination in the world of sounds. SF59 leader Jason Martin falls into the latter category, and he exercises this fascination more obviously on Leave Here a Stranger than on any other SF59 recording so far. The result is a beautiful record that is at points catchy, dreamy and dramatic.
This record has been described as Martin's "Pet Sounds," the beloved Brian Wilson/Beach Boys record. It's an accurate comparison because, as the name implies, Pet Sounds was a celebration of Brian Wilson's favorite sounds. The sounds that Martin favors represent a cross-section of pop music history. What impresses is how fresh Martin manages to make this record sound, starting with his well-developed ability to write catchy guitar riffs and melodies and then orchestrating each song with detailed arrangements much as Wilson did.
Contrary to what gushing fans post on web music retail sites, Jason Martin is not a genius. But what this record shows is that Martin is a skilled artisan of music. While not necessarily original, Leave Here a Stranger is a luxurious listen that bathes the listener in beautiful sounds.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #90Reviewed by Sarah JonesIn late '65 Brian Wilson heard The Beatles' Rubber Soul and was immediately inspired to create an album that would either match or surpass it. So came Pet Sounds in '66, an album that — with its numerous layered vocal and instrument tracks, melodic bass lines, and unconventional and orchestral arrangements — reached the height of composition and production in its day, and would later influence…ReAL Magazine 2001Reviewed by Nolan K.Here's what Jason Martin (Starflyer 59's guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and backbone) is up against: eight years ago the mysterious blank-silver cover of Starflyer's self-titled debut appeared on the music-store shelves. The album, commonly referred to as Silver, became an instant favorite, established Martin and company as a musical force to be watched, and proved once and for all that…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Ken MuellerIf you surf the internet for Starflyer 59 you will find more and more interviews with Jason Martin where it sounds as though he is very close to hanging it all up. He sounds tired and bored...of everything: the music industry, being in a band, recording. Leave Here a Stranger is to Starflyer 59 as Pet Sounds is to the Beach Boys...or so some critics would have you believe. And Martin says that…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Alex KlagesA quick glance back at Starflyer 59's career demonstrates a band which is truly a work in progress. The first album was a noisy, layered sonic landscape, with guitars everywhere. Flash forward eight years, to 2001 and the release of Leave Here a Stranger. We still have the noisy, layered sonic landscape, but what a difference time makes! On Starflyer 59's latest outing, the band is now a…Similar sounding releases
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