Starcrawler - She Said

 

We are ending the year on a louder note and probably nearer to what people think I Don't Hear A Single is about. It isn't but it does feel good to be on ground which we were once all about. So we show we are down da kidz by reviewing Starcrawler's third album.

The Los Angeles five piece seem to be getting a fair bit of stick in a Greta Van Fleet way. I am no way a GVF fan, I find their material tiresome, but others like it and I'd rather see a new generation fans get into Rock Music than be like the 60 - 70 year olds whining about copying. Its original material not someone going out as Lad Zeppeling. 

Starcrawler are different for a number of reasons. You can understand the sell out accusations about a band whose first two albums were shall we say far more punkish. But She Said is a splendid melodic rock album, there's so much to like. Do you want a band to be stuck where they started?

If you think it sounds like someone else, go back to your 90s collection and be content. Because I think the songs really stand up, they may not be that original, but is anything these days? Is there any music left to invent, most reviews compare relatively new bands to something older.

Being a female fronted band is always going to lead to certain comparisons and yet Arrow De Wilde does a fine job. She could be shouty, but prefers to be slightly understated whilst the riffs reverberate around her.

I've seen comparisons to Hole and Garbage. This is far more melodic and chorus led Indie Rock, not a bit like the sneering tuneless Courtney Love delivery and although I can hear Shirley Manson the odd time, but the material is much more commercial, has less attitude and certainly less distortion.

The first nine of these ten songs are all Guitar led rockathons, you want to shake your fist, but you want to sing along to them. The likes of Stranded and Broken Angels are allowed to build and then break out wonderfully. They are incredibly catchy affairs that allow you to sweat.

The closer, Better Place hints at even more future possibilities. The only ballad on show is restrained with a Country twang and reveals what a fine vocalist De Wilde is. Forget what people say about Starcrawler, they are a young band who can appeal to their age group, but can be equally satisfying for an older audience. I don't see what the fuss is about, She Said is a fantastic album.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

You can listen to the album here and buy it everywhere. You can find out more about Starcrawler here.

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