Search - tvfordogs :: Starling

With its opening flash of amplified six-string, 'Starling' shines a bright light on post-grunge rock. Devoid of Weezeresque irony, singer-guitarist Neil Luckett mines a classic, idiosyncratic vein, advancing the go-for-broke assault of 'Heavy Denver' (2002) and brass-ring target-shooting of 'Roller' (2005) with a knowing blend of retro styles and rock archetypes. On 'Starling,' classic rock drenched in early-'70s guitar tones meets the immediacy of modern hi-fi. The dogs' crunchy guitars, laser-sharp vocals, and tightly honed songs evoke the appeal of Coldplay and Foo Fighters, passing through a lens trained cannily on rock history. Luckett is a master of forms who retains the zeal of the newly minted artist. Restless in its introspection, 'Starling' calls to mind the free-wheeling explorations of Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young. The disarming 'Frozen Friend,' with its George-Harrison-does-'Wah-Wah' guitar intro and plaintive lead vocal, is one of the most impassioned tracks of this or any other year. Produced by Luckett and mastered by the legendary Jon Astley, 'Starling' joins a Wampus Multimedia roster that includes imminent releases from The Matthew Show, The Crowd Scene, Venus Flytrap, Kowtow Popof, and Arms of Kismet, as well as 'Hurry Home Early: the Songs of Warren Zevon,' to which Luckett contributed a version of Zevon's 'Mutineer.' Skilled interpreters of the work of other artists, tvfordogs also covered 'How Do You Think It Feels' for 'After Hours: a Tribute to the Music of Lou Reed.'