True Stars - True Stars

 

After a single and an EP, Bellingham Washington Trio True Stars release their debut album. On hearing the opener and its ooh la la la's you think this is gonna be high class traditional Power Pop, but as the album progresses, you realise that this is gonna be much meatier.

The rhythm section stick to the Power Pop, hand claps and all at times, but Jody Waymire's Guitar adds a much heavier sound and direction taking the band into a more Uni Boys, even The Replacements direction  and they do the down and dirty just as well.

This a real rocking affair that turns TrueStars into a real Power Trio. Riot For Me for instance is real Garage Guitar Pop. Sick Thing is very much in the territory of The Speedways, but adds a blistering rocked up Glam like solo.

Move My Direction even blasts into UK New Wave and even adds a great Twang section. Panic Attack even flirts with 60s Garage Psych. Keep Rolling is very Mats and Why even steps into my beloved Psych Pop.The Twang even returns on the closer, The Hill, which is very Beat Generation.

You can add True Stars to the new breed of heavier guitar led Power Pop. This is an outstanding album from a band that knows exactly what it wants to achieve and does it perfectly. As I say every year, too many do their end of the year lists too early. It may be a week till Christmas, but I have heard some cracking albums this month and there's not a jingle bell in site.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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