| |
Welcome
to the Critics' Corner
StarPolish Staff
Who knows the StarPolish Artist Community better than the StarPolish employees? "No one, that's who!" says StarPolish employee extraordinaire Jonathan Leeder. Drawing from their expert knowledge of pop culture and always delivering the critical word with precise wit, a StarPolish employee may take a turn at Critics Corner from time to time to give our hardworking critics a much needed breather. If you would like to solicit a review from the next StarPolish employee in the rotation, send your plea to reviews@starpolish.com - any genres accepted.
 lowstar |
 Listen
to: "Alphabet Blues" |
From London, look out for lowstar, a gritty atmospheric rock band with a pretty big sound. Two guitar players, with neither really taking a ‘lead’ approach, create a multi-layered storm of sound that floats over the solid bass and drum rhythm section. Influenced by early U2 and the Secret Machines, they also bring to mind pre-electronic Radiohead. Their album tracks don’t drag on, but one could see sections that could blossom in a live context. |
| CLOSENUF |
| Listen
to: "Take It From Me" |
Hailing from Brooklyn, Closenuf is a five piece pop rock band, with a singer-songwriter mentality. They’re self-titled debut album on Broooklyn’s Wreckords Records features fifteen original compositions that showcase classic rock influences. On Take It From Me, the funky piano intro recalls Grand Funk Railroad while the catchy lyrics invoke Matchbox 20. All the members of this act cut their teeth fronting their own bands, and the instrumental sections of the songs are strong and tight. In today’s ever shifting trendy music scene it’s a relief to hear songs that aren’t trying to be “indie” or whatever the next buzzword is, but just focus on being concise melodic tunes. |
| 1592 |
| Listen
to: "Rise of the Fallen" |
Who would expect a legit dubby, rootsy, reggae act to come out Detroit? Their debut album The Rise of the Fallen is drum and bass heavy and filled with positive vibrations. The production quality is perfect and the echo-y doubled up vocal tracks in Stranded would make Lee Perry smile. Vocalist/keyboard man Eric Abbey writes thought provoking lyrics without coming off as preachy or holier then thou, like many reggae singers. The guitar and sax solos are tasteful and like most reggae music follow the ‘less is more’ mentality. In the title track Rise of the Fallen, 1592 is at their best, with a sing along type refrain that will stick with you long after your first listen. |
|
|
