Starflyer 59 I Win EP
Self-Released July 1st, 2006
By Jason Jordan
Starflyer 59 return with the I Win EP, which serves as a prelude to My Island. Though were several months away from the September 2006 release of their 10th LP, and the great Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice dropped just last year, new material from this long-running band is always a welcome addition to my fanboy-size collection.
Fronted by songwriter extraordinaire Jason Martin since their inception in 1993, Starflyer 59 coursed through the shoegazer vein until 1998s The Fashion Focus marked a streamlined, rock-driven focus with an 80s vibe. Martins wispy, dreamy vocals have rarely veered from said approach since their debut, and the tradition continues on I Win. Only 11 minutes long, the EP houses a precursor to My Island in I Win, which is slated to appear on the forthcoming record, and is an upbeat, bouncy number that some will compare to material from Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice, Old, or even Everybody Makes Mistakes. And while I miss Frank Lenz on the drums, his replacement does a fine job. Three out of the four songs are new, yet dont/wont grace anything but the EP. White Fog is a brief instrumental that reminds this reviewer of music often associated with the Southwestern United States, whereas Family Line is a short song laced with melancholy. Hearkening back to SF59 days gone by is W.S. 2005, which borrows numerous instruments and characteristics that have riddled their past efforts: piano melodies, synthesizer support, wavy guitars, tambourine, clapping, and repeated chorus lines.
Since this is an EP, however, and is available in limited quantities, it follows that I Win is primarily for Starflyer 59 aficionados gazing toward My Island with the expectation that itll be a solid record, like nearly all their other ones. Casual fans or those unacquainted with the Californian quintet are advised to check out their most recent outing instead of this minor-yet-worthwhile aside.
7/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Starflyer 59 Website
Self-Released July 1st, 2006
By Jason Jordan
Starflyer 59 return with the I Win EP, which serves as a prelude to My Island. Though were several months away from the September 2006 release of their 10th LP, and the great Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice dropped just last year, new material from this long-running band is always a welcome addition to my fanboy-size collection.
Fronted by songwriter extraordinaire Jason Martin since their inception in 1993, Starflyer 59 coursed through the shoegazer vein until 1998s The Fashion Focus marked a streamlined, rock-driven focus with an 80s vibe. Martins wispy, dreamy vocals have rarely veered from said approach since their debut, and the tradition continues on I Win. Only 11 minutes long, the EP houses a precursor to My Island in I Win, which is slated to appear on the forthcoming record, and is an upbeat, bouncy number that some will compare to material from Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice, Old, or even Everybody Makes Mistakes. And while I miss Frank Lenz on the drums, his replacement does a fine job. Three out of the four songs are new, yet dont/wont grace anything but the EP. White Fog is a brief instrumental that reminds this reviewer of music often associated with the Southwestern United States, whereas Family Line is a short song laced with melancholy. Hearkening back to SF59 days gone by is W.S. 2005, which borrows numerous instruments and characteristics that have riddled their past efforts: piano melodies, synthesizer support, wavy guitars, tambourine, clapping, and repeated chorus lines.
Since this is an EP, however, and is available in limited quantities, it follows that I Win is primarily for Starflyer 59 aficionados gazing toward My Island with the expectation that itll be a solid record, like nearly all their other ones. Casual fans or those unacquainted with the Californian quintet are advised to check out their most recent outing instead of this minor-yet-worthwhile aside.
7/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Starflyer 59 Website
