Search - Starflyer 59 :: Fashion Focus

Starflyer 59 delivers their finest album yet

10/09/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Over the course of three full-length albums and numerous EP's, Jason Martin, the driving force behind Starflyer 59, has contantly and consistently reinvented his sound while maintaining a level of artistic excellence that is rarely found. Now he comes along with his fourth long-player "The Fashion Focus."Who would have thought upon hearing the self-titled drone and noise fest that was SF59's initial release, that Martin would eventually release an album of such diversity and songwriting skill? "The Fashion Focus" finally fully reflects Martin's influences. "I Drive A Lot" opens the album with a poppy, New Order-like sound and feel, and an irrestible melody. "Sundown" recalls The Pixies with its edgy rock sound. The tender "Fell In Love At 22" is another of the album's many highlights, and lyrically, like so many of Martin's songs, continues in a reflective, longing vein along with the brighter "Card Games and Old Friends."The album reaches its epic peak on the seven-minute-plus "Too Much Fun," which, for the first time since the second self-titled ("Gold") album, sees Martin return to the hard, noisy, droning sound for which he is so well known.The revolving door of supporting players appears to be more settled now with Wayne Everett (The Lassie Foundation) back again on drums, and long-time cohort Jeff Cloud (Joy Electric, Pony Express) now on bass. Gene Eugene's keyboards play an even bigger role on this album than in the past (his role has seemingly increased with each album). Now he could easily be considered the fourth member of the band - at least in the studio. Eugene's usual no-nonsense approach to production seems to fit Martin's style and taste well."The Fashion Focus" once again proves that Jason Martin, along with his brother Ronnie of the synthpop band Joy Electric, continue to write and release some of the most inventive music being produced today. It is high time more people discovered their amazing talent."

Starflyer's shift in sound

Michial Farmer | Toccoa Falls, GA United States | 10/17/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Fashion Focus heralded a new era for Jason Martin and his rotating cast of players. It opened with a driving drum beat and synthesized strings, a far cry from the walls of reverberated, distorted guitars that characterized past Starflyer albums.Those guitars come back in a few songs--the forgettable "Days of Lamech" and "The Birthrite," but more notably, in the second half of "We're the Ordinary," unquestionably Martin's finest production. The song drifts along with its cold piano line and monotonous Arp String Ensemble until its end. "Sometimes," Martin quivers, "we don't have a life," and the guitars rush in to fill the space. Gorgeous.Indeed, the first five songs are some of Starflyer's best, but much of the album seems like filler material and could easily have been left off to make a perfect EP. The band did settle into their groove with the follow-up to this album (Everybody Makes Mistakes), though, and The Fashion Focus is worth the admission price any way you look at it. 3.5 stars."

Irresistable music from the first listen

tjpulse79@netscape.net | Western United States | 08/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What an album. I was turned onto this album as a keyholder at Zia Records in Phoenix Arizona. My boss threw it in and pretty much everyone was hooked. It became a favorite of the entire staff. I tried to spin it about once a day. There were several times when we ran out of this album. Without fail, every time I played, a customer bought it. The melodies and hooks are wonderful. This was truly an inspired album. Of course "Feel in love at 22" is a standout, but the entire album is very well rounded. If it got some radio play, it would rocket up the charts. My favorite band on Tooth and Nail records."