The Hanging Stars - Just A Day

Welcome to the sixth album from The Hanging Stars. More recently, I've reviewed the last two albums. Hollow Heart here and On A Golden Shore here. A decade or so, these type of albums were predominant, less so now, as if the best have surprised and the potential return of The Vapour Trails.

The Hanging Stars are a quartet that are up there with the best of them, they know what they are great at and take it a step further with each album. Initially, more noted for Americana, they are now more based with the likes of Dropkick and the more recent mellower, Teenage Fanclub.

They are never gonna blow the bloody doors off, that isn't what they are about or want to do. Although, they are some band when the pace picks up, most noted here on the wonderful Show Me The Way. There is always gonna be something a bit special from an album produced by Gerry Love in Edwyn Collins's studio.

The songs are beautifully played, built on riffs and keyboards. When the keyboards kick in, there is an instrumental feel of The Band, when they Jangle, you think of The Byrds, so there is still a very West Coast feel.

What marks them out most from their peers are the four part harmonies, demonstrated perfectly on Time Is Nothing with its I Can't Let Maggie Go vibe. Sister Of The Sun underlines those harmonies splendidly, great California Pop Rock. The Hanging Stars are masters of what they do and long may it continue.

 You can listen to and buy the album here.

..............