A little more than a year after releasing its then latest studio recording, its EP, Another Day, Another Squalor, independent rock act Starcrazy has released that record’s follow-up with its new, self-titled album. Released independently Friday, Starcrazy is another ear-catching offering from the independent, up-and-coming rock act. That is thanks in part to its musical arrangements, which present an intriguing exhibition of sounds and styles. This will be discussed shortly. The lyrical themes that accompany said content add to the interest of this latest offering from Starcrazy and will be addressed a little later. The record’s production puts the finishing touch to the presentation and will also be discussed later. Each item noted is key in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered they make Starcrazy yet another interesting offering from its namesake that is just as worth hearing as the album’s predecessor.
Starcrazy, the brand-new self-titled album from the up-and-coming independent rock act, is an interesting new offering from the neo-glam rock act. The band’s third studio recording (behind its two EPs, 2021’s Played for Suckers and 2023’s Another Day, Another Squalor), its 10 total tracks give listeners plenty of that noted modern glam garage sound and style that pays homage to the days of big hair and bigger riffs. At the same time, there are actually moments in which the band’s work is actually comparable to works from Janes Addiction from the early 1990s. Right from the record’s outset, audiences get some of that Janes Addiction type work in ‘The Fire.’ The comparison is made both through the instrumentation and the distinct layered vocal style and sound. There is something there that hints at that influence, intended or not. To a certain extent, the band blends that leaning with a little bit of that neo-glam sound and style in the record’s third entry, ‘Going Underground.’ Again, the guitar line and the vocals make that clear. At the same time there is something about the arrangement that has that touch of 80s hair rock. The unique combination makes for an interesting work.
The hair rock leaning becomes more pure in ‘Nighttime,’ the album’s fourth entry. The pairing of the guitar and bass really serve as the foundation for that sound here. The bombast presented by the pairing makes that clear. This is hardly the last point at which the band’s glam rock leanings are put on display. There are plenty of other points in which this happens. Throughout it all, the band manages to maintain each song’s own identity, even with that influence noted. To that end, the songs’ arrangements alone are reason for audiences to give Starcrazy’s new self-titled album a chance.
Building on the foundation formed through the album’s musical arrangements is the lyrical content spread across the album. The lyrical themes featured throughout the album touch on a range of topics, from a person obsessing over a celebrity in ‘Fanzine’ to embracing the joy of music in ‘Fire’ to what seems a rumination about feeling out of place in the Futurama tribute ‘Ballad of Philip J. Fry.’ As if that is not enough, the band even seemingly touches on the topic of a relationship in ‘Caught in a Dream (Again).’ There is even a full-on celebration of simply going out and having fun in ‘Nighttime’ or at least it would seem to touch on the topic. Considering the range of topics Starcrazy touches on throughout its new album, that diverse range makes for reason enough to take in the record, too. Keeping that in mind, the collective musical and lyrical content that makes up the album’s body makes for plenty of reason in itself for audiences to take in the album.
As much as Starcrazy’s collective musical and lyrical content does to make it worth hearing, its production does just as much to make it worth hearing. From beginning to end of the record, the production is to thank for the unique neo-glam sounds and the balance of the vocals and instrumentation. The time and work that went into each song’s sound results in a positive aesthetic that itself is sure to keep audiences engaged and entertained, even as unique as this record proves from one song to the next. That positive effect, together with the album’s overall content, completes Starcrazy’s impact and make clear why the album stands out among this year’s new independent albums field
Starcrazy, the debut album from Starcrazy (and the band’s third overall studio recording), is an interesting addition to this year’s field of new independent albums. That is made evident in part through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements in question are of note because of their modern glam rock approach. The lyrical themes that accompany that focused musical material makes for its own interest. The production puts the finishing touch to the whole, resulting in a positive listening experience in its own right. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the album. All things considered they make Starcrazy a presentation that proves worth hearing at least once.
Starcrazy is available now. More information on the new album is available along with all of Starcrazy’s latest news at:
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