stellastarr*

I’m ushered back to the eighties and my youthful underground
world.  A time when I thought my friends and I were the only
people on earth that knew what everything was about.  Who
knows?  We probably did.  But I also remember the soundtracks
that coated these moments: Joy Division, The Smiths, Bauhaus and other
less English musicians.

I’m reminded of this when listening to
the new album by stellastarr*, Harmonies for the Haunted
and I wonder
if some kids somewhere listening to them are feeling the way I did back
then.  Or has that sense of being alone and unique in the world
been marketed by Nike?  This is my first time encountering
stellastarr*.  Their sound is very much linked to the new wave hip pop of
NYC the likes of Interpol and the Strokes (which are the most
recognizable, but you should also discover the unique sound of The Double).  Stellastarr* delivers the hip pop, but unlike
their counterparts these folks retain a more sincere song
writing.  At times Sean Christensen may sound a bit more Robert
Smith than even Robert Smith, but he does attain a very “Haunted”
falsetto tone that sticks to your teeth.  The songs are extremely
catchy and well produced giving the listener a peek at what could be a
very radio friendly future for these talented Brooklynites. 

Here are some tour dates and a few Mp3’s I found roaming about:

9/21/05 LA, CA * El Rey
9/22/05 SF, CA * Popscene
9/23/05 SF, CA * The Independent
9/24/05 Santa Barbara, CA * Velvet Jones
9/25/05 Solana Beach, CA * Belly Up Tavern
9/28/05 Dallas, TX * Trees
9/29/05 Austin, TX * Parish
10/1/05 Atlanta, GA * The Loft at Earthlink Live
10/2/05 Orlando, FL * The Social
10/4/05 Philadelphia * The T.L.A
10/5/05 Washington, DC * 9:30 Club
10/6/05 NYC * Irving Plaza
10/7/05 Boston, MA * The Paradise

These music links may require special accomodations by you, but it’s
all I could find.  Thanks to Hype Machine, oh mighty Hype
Machine!  Our own private pirate shop or Big Bro in disguise?  Who
cares, just listen.

stellastarr* : lost in time
stellastarr* : sweet troubled soul