TWO-RECORD-REVIEW MONDAY!
Athlete
Tourist
[Astralwerks]
--London foursome’s second album leaves me feeling a bit Coldplay.--
Piano is the new guitar. It doesn’t take “The Scientist,” or the success of the band that wrote that song (Coldplay) to realize that wimp-rock is all the rage--or more accurately, a lack thereof—in England. Athlete, a South London outfit made up of four childhood friends, writes the newest chapter in forgettable drama with Tourist, an album that isn’t as nearly adventurous as its title suggests. I’m certain by now, the once Mercury Prize-nominated group is tired of the Coldplay-comparisons—truthfully, I’m tired of making them—but after hearing songs like “Twenty Four Hours,” “Wires” and “Trading Air,” you’ll be looking through the liner notes for the Chris Martin songwriting credits.
Starflyer 59
Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice
[Tooth And Nail]
--The Lord saves but there's nothing He could do for this album--
It seems pretty odd that Jason Martin, the creative force behind Starflyer 59, would call so much attention to his singing voice by referencing to it in the album title. Essentially, Martin doesn’t really sing his lyrics. He just breathes them.
With his tenth record in the eleven years as the 59th Starflyer, Martin further reveals his determination to replicate both the shoegazing qualities of My Bloody Valentine and the bouncy rhythm section of New Order. But ultimately, the outspokenly Christian songwriter’s lethargic delivery projects like he has just been resurrected from a long nap. The vocal monotony truly is an unfortunate shame because ultimately, the compositions are often pretty and warm. We can only hope that for the next album, after all the votes have finally been tallied, that Martin will announce the singing voice as the winner.
Athlete
Tourist
[Astralwerks]
--London foursome’s second album leaves me feeling a bit Coldplay.--
Piano is the new guitar. It doesn’t take “The Scientist,” or the success of the band that wrote that song (Coldplay) to realize that wimp-rock is all the rage--or more accurately, a lack thereof—in England. Athlete, a South London outfit made up of four childhood friends, writes the newest chapter in forgettable drama with Tourist, an album that isn’t as nearly adventurous as its title suggests. I’m certain by now, the once Mercury Prize-nominated group is tired of the Coldplay-comparisons—truthfully, I’m tired of making them—but after hearing songs like “Twenty Four Hours,” “Wires” and “Trading Air,” you’ll be looking through the liner notes for the Chris Martin songwriting credits.
Starflyer 59
Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice
[Tooth And Nail]
--The Lord saves but there's nothing He could do for this album--
It seems pretty odd that Jason Martin, the creative force behind Starflyer 59, would call so much attention to his singing voice by referencing to it in the album title. Essentially, Martin doesn’t really sing his lyrics. He just breathes them.
With his tenth record in the eleven years as the 59th Starflyer, Martin further reveals his determination to replicate both the shoegazing qualities of My Bloody Valentine and the bouncy rhythm section of New Order. But ultimately, the outspokenly Christian songwriter’s lethargic delivery projects like he has just been resurrected from a long nap. The vocal monotony truly is an unfortunate shame because ultimately, the compositions are often pretty and warm. We can only hope that for the next album, after all the votes have finally been tallied, that Martin will announce the singing voice as the winner.
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