Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan – The self release of group Starling Electric’s debut record, Clouded Staircase, was back in 2006. The band has since been signed by Bar/None Records, who are re-releasing the album. the driving force behind it all is Caleb Dillon, who wrote everything and plays almost everything. The band has a pure indie pop sound similar to classic Guided By Voices with elements of Beach Boys instrumentation and bits of prog poking though. “The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” starts you off with hard electric guitar riff and Dillon’s floating Pollard-like vocals. Then the first of three-parts “The Clouded Staircase” opens with a very SMiLE like mix of piano and acoustic guitar playing, with some backwards looping for effect. This comes to a head on “Camp-Fire” which resembles Sean O’Hagen’s High Llamas with steady and catchy organ and banjo touches. It continues to get better, “Black Ghost/Black Girl” is classic 60’s pop similar to Pete Townshend’s “Who Sell Out.” By mid album the sunny ‘70s pop comes out on “Clouded Staircase Pt.2” with some wonderful piano, in a style similar to Tony Bank’s early Genesis. This bit of pop combination melts together perfectly. As the album continues Dillon’s vocals begin to resemble Nick Drake playing for Marillion on “New Era.” The folk prog influences come out more on the albums second half, with “Two Dreams” resembling early Genesis ballads, with dreamy flowing acoustic guitar. Add to this a wonderful instrumental “British Boots” with a gorgeous Rickenbacker rhythm. Posies/Big Star frontman Jon Auer gave it high praise as well, “Startling and superlative orchestral pop that reminds me of why I fell in love with music in the first place…” and I tend to agree. An amazing album that deserves a Top Ten nod.
Amazon | Starling Electric Web Site | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g74LAyJh4dk
This has some great songs on it. The lead vocal reminds me of Greg Lake/John Wetton/Jason Faulkner. Which I think, is a good thing. It’s on eMusic now too.