22 May 2013
Stellar* - Something Like Strangers
30 Sep 2006 // A review by johnsoncraigsbc
Stellar seem to have taken a softer approach in making their new album, Something Like Strangers, which in turn has created a lazy Sunday album which you can have playing in the back ground from start to finish.
Andy Lovegroove provides additional vocals in the beautiful duet which is 'For A While'. These songs have nice, slow beats which have a tendency to build up into a climactic bridge which make good use of the keyboards and guitars.
‘Take A Girl is one of the heavier songs on the album. Although the chorus is slightly louder than the rest of the album, it ties in with the rest of the album well via the melodic versus. It has a country and folk element to it, which works in extremely well with the choruses and versus. The keyboard melodies are fantastic and could almost send you to sleep.
The television proud single ‘Whiplash’ also makes a dominant stance in the opening stages of the album. The radio friendly single invites us to listen on as we know the quality of the songs is consistent.
‘High’ is probably the ‘it’ ballad of the whole album. The drumming in this song is not overtly obvious, but their presences make for an indescribable ambience in the song. The lyrical qualities of the songs are also pretty decent for a band of such popularity. As a lot of mainstream female led have some pretty woeful lyrics, but these are held up pretty well.
Taking a turn for the quieter since their single ‘Violent’, it doesn’t seem as though they have tried extremely hard to become a more melodic band, but has just come naturally as they progress and develop as a band. As a whole, this is a great album. It is a good showcase of a band that knows how to play effectively to each written song in order to create a certain mood. It also shows how they have matured and extended as a band. This album is the perfect lazy Sunday CD to sit back and relax to during those summer months or the cold winter days.
Craig Johnson
Stellar seem to have taken a softer approach in making their new album, Something Like Strangers, which in turn has created a lazy Sunday album which you can have playing in the back ground from start to finish. Andy Lovegroove provides additional vocals in the beautiful duet which is 'For A While'. These songs have nice, slow beats which have a tendency to build up into a climactic bridge which make good use of the keyboards and guitars.
‘Take A Girl is one of the heavier songs on the album. Although the chorus is slightly louder than the rest of the album, it ties in with the rest of the album well via the melodic versus. It has a country and folk element to it, which works in extremely well with the choruses and versus. The keyboard melodies are fantastic and could almost send you to sleep.
The television proud single ‘Whiplash’ also makes a dominant stance in the opening stages of the album. The radio friendly single invites us to listen on as we know the quality of the songs is consistent.
‘High’ is probably the ‘it’ ballad of the whole album. The drumming in this song is not overtly obvious, but their presences make for an indescribable ambience in the song. The lyrical qualities of the songs are also pretty decent for a band of such popularity. As a lot of mainstream female led have some pretty woeful lyrics, but these are held up pretty well.
Taking a turn for the quieter since their single ‘Violent’, it doesn’t seem as though they have tried extremely hard to become a more melodic band, but has just come naturally as they progress and develop as a band. As a whole, this is a great album. It is a good showcase of a band that knows how to play effectively to each written song in order to create a certain mood. It also shows how they have matured and extended as a band. This album is the perfect lazy Sunday CD to sit back and relax to during those summer months or the cold winter days.
Craig Johnson
Something Like Strangers
View Track Listing
View Track Listing
Tweet
About Stellar*
After 'Magic Line' the band took some time out for expansion – singer Boh Runga went to live in Los Angeles to hone her skills as a songwriter:
"The opportunity came up to base myself in LA. My publisher introduced me to working songwriters over there, people who were writing for artists like Christina Aguilera, Meatloaf and Ricky Martin."
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Stellar*
Releases
Other Reviews By johnsoncraigsbc
Spartacus R - When The Fever Takes Hold - Debut Release
15 Feb 2009 // by johnsoncraigsbc
The locally anticipated debut release from Wellingtons own Spartacus R is finally here. After becoming regionally acclaimed over the past six years their debut full-length album “When The Fever Takes Hold” is looking to rouse devotees and new listeners alike.
Read More...
Samuel Flynn Scott - Straight Answer Machine
28 May 2008 // by johnsoncraigsbc
Stepping away from electronic Americana and heading towards tropical folk, ‘Straight Answer Machine’ is Samuel Flynn Scotts’ second solo performance that supports his song writing potential. ‘Straight Answer Machine’ leads us on a mystical journey through his ideological landscapes and on through good hard times.
Read More...
An Emerald City - Debut, Self Titled E.P.
15 Apr 2008 // by johnsoncraigsbc
An Emerald City showcases mastery musicianship with a seamless blend of traditional instruments, spawning an easy listening, instrumental collaboration of styles in this self titled, debut extended play. Commencing the four track E.
Read More...
Recloose- Perfect Timing
14 Apr 2008 // by johnsoncraigsbc
Recloose has been busy and after such previous success, the now internationally exalted producer and DJ has brought a new touch to living room and club dance with ‘Perfect Timing’, taking a few pages out of the eighties in the process. Starting the album with Rachel Frasier and the mellow sophistication of ‘Catch A Leaf’ is the perfect way to precede the dismal post eighties revival that is ‘Robop’.
Read More...
Crash Test For Favourite Things - We all want to be just like you.
31 Mar 2008 // by johnsoncraigsbc
We all want to be just like you- Crash Test For Favourite Things The general aesthetic of Crash Test for Favourite Things has matured since their debut, self titled album, and the cover art captures some of the imagery that is apparent in the music wonderfully. It speaks innocence and injustice.
Read More...
Lawrence Arabia: Live Gig @ Happy 08 Feb 2008
13 Feb 2008 // by johnsoncraigsbc
Thursday night at Happy was packed, and for good reason. For ‘it’ man Liam Finn was due to support Lawrence Arabia, who threw two nights of fun filled music with all his friends.
Read More...
The Phoenix Foundation - Happy Ending
20 Dec 2007 // by johnsoncraigsbc
After such success from ‘Pegasus’ it was exciting to hear what direction The Phoenix Foundation had taken with their new album- 'Happy Ending'. I like the album and its casual holiday appeal, with up beat happy tunes like ‘Bright Grey’ and ‘Bleaching Sun’, but opening singles aside; the album showcases all of the song writing talent that is The Phoenix Foundation.
Read More...
The Phoenix Foundation - Wellington Opera House 17/11/2007
19 Nov 2007 // by johnsoncraigsbc
On Saturday night The Phoenix Foundation played at the Opera House in Wellington as part of their Happy Ending tour. Because of the recent success from their newly released album ‘Happy Ending’ I was excepting another great show from the Wellington lads who seldom disappoint.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Gigs Today
- Tenacious D
THE BEDFORD @ CPSA BUIDLING - Battle of the Bands - Semi 3
KINGS ARMS TAVERN - Battle of the Bands - Semi 3
THE JUICE BAR @ WINDSOR CASTLE - Indigo Wolf
DARK ROOM - Mantis
DUX LIVE - Nadia Reid
THE MOORINGS - Von D (FRA)
SANDWICHES - NZ Music Month Gig
ARANUI LIBRARY - Massive Explosion
MIGHTY MIGHTY - Paperscissors
BODEGA
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- BLURRED LINES
Robin Thicke feat. TI And Pharrell - GET LUCKY
Daft Punk feat. Pharrell - LET HER GO
Passenger - RADIOACTIVE
Imagine Dragons - AFRICA
Toto - ROYALS
Lorde - FEEL THIS MOMENT
Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera - CAN'T HOLD US
Macklemore And Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton - MIRRORS
Justin Timberlake - SKINNY LOVE
Birdy
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
Custom Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
