Certain Stars

There's something to be said for bands that can squeeze various forms of power pop, lo-fi rock and even Nick Drake folk into a single album -- and make it sound like it was recorded in a garage. Wisconsin-based Certain Stars pull it off on Times Like These Call for Tambourines, a catchy tale about... well, it's hard to tell. Given the album's clever lyrical references to St. Peter's smile ("Elks") and Jack Kerouac ("Take Oxygen Minor" ), you may assume that they aced songwriting 101, but most of the time it's hard to tell what they're actually singing about. "Everyone Now" contradictorily mentions whispering clouds that cry out loud, and "Tour de Lance" makes umpteen references to "it", a noun the song never defines ("It's like it's eternal / it always will stay / it's right there beside you / for every day"). With highlights like "Wild Consumption", which sounds like a forgotten Pink Moon track, and the slightly off-kilter Americana-via-Pavement song "Take a Chance on Me", it's easy to overlook the album's lack of cohesiveness. Despite Certain Stars' sonic and lyrical inconsistencies, These Times is a subtle treasure.

-- Julia Simon - Splendid Magazine

Times Like These Call for Tambourines (Self-Released) (has) been out for awhile, but it definitely deserves some attention, especially to hype the new EP (vinyl terms are always cooler than digital terms) they'll be releasing in 2006. You can hear the Teenage Fanclub influence on their debut album and the brothers Hernandez (Kyle on bass and vocals and Chris on guitar) find their jangling melodies without wasting much time. Their lyrics are clever ("Ex-Members of a Band" has some good verses and the MacGuffin at the center of "Quite the Production" show that they're not afraid of complexity, even if the point isn't always made clearly.) It's garage-pop and miles ahead of most Wisconsin indie bands, and leaves the listener looking forward to the next Certain Stars record. - Maximum Ink

THESongcast.com July, 2007

Do you remember when rock music realized that it could be more than hair spay, harmonizing about partying prowess and or body parts? Ah yes, alternative music . . . the music category for bands who didn’t fit the mold and frankly, didn’t want to be categorized.

Certain Star’s release ‘Wired for sound’ has hit this ideal on the head. Music and songs because we must, not because we want to be . . . stars. ‘Wired for sound’ also delivers a unique flavor or personality for each song. From a surfer, fun, 50’s drum beat ‘highschoolalloveragain’ chant (you’ve got to love a song with the lyrics ‘I’m in a band, can my band play with your band?) to the thoughtful ‘Slow down quickly’. There is also an overall punk feel throughout, which adds to the cohesive nature of the band. Each song stands out as an individual, but you always know you are listening to Certain Stars.

I wouldn’t say there are song stories here, more music and lyrics that reflect a mood and add to the overall feel that Certain Stars is throwing at the airwaves. Don’t get me wrong; the songwriting for Certain Stars is strong (feel free to use that in the verse of your next song . . . ). If you think about why you are enjoying the basic and fun nature of the songs, it all comes back to the writing.

The song ‘Wired for sound’ as an example sets the stage for this play. It is a guitar driven verse, chorus song with minimalist lyric approach. As many artists have proven, sometimes this is all you need. Playing on the unique personality theme, ‘Slow down quickly’ uses a different map. Here you will see a more polished production, including background harmony and the birth of a story. Taking this serious tone has added to my overall enjoyment of the CD.

Sounds like: Teenage Fanclub, That Petrol Emotion (check out Chemicrazy), REM

RM’s Favorite: ‘Slow down quickly’

To Sum It Up: This is a great rock CD with good songs, period. Certain Stars excel by not taking themselves too seriously while still being able to rock out. No heavy metal rap or drum machine beats or even Justin Timberlake . . . just good songs, unique personality and an overall fun CD.

http://www.thesongcast.com/thesongcast/Review_Certain.html



- the Songcast

Sometimes, I get sick of the Animal Collectives the world, and just get in the mood for some good old rock and roll.


Certain Stars has made an album I can throw on in my car and just rock out to. It’s melodic pop in the vain of Big Star - very high energy, very simple, very driving and upbeat. It’s packed to the brim with crunchy guitars and chugging bass lines designed to get you dancing at a bar, or while cruising down the highway in June.


It’s a straightforward EP - each song is more or less static, sticking to one tempo and one meter for the whole duration. With the exception of some syncopation during the chorus of “Slow Down Quickly”, there is not much movement in the songs, and that really hurts the record as a whole. The lyrics are a little silly, and the vocals are pushed too high in the mix. The drums are weak, with a tinny high hat especially catching my ear. Though I want to cut Certain Stars some slack, these minor quibbles add up, and bring down an otherwise fun record.


Yes, it’s formulaic, to an extent. You have heard this record before, a thousand times I’m sure. It’s the basic rock formula that’s been used effectively since the 50s, but it’s done (mostly) right - it’s catchy, fast, and heartfelt. They have a lot of potential, if they would only get more intricate and I would definitely not mind seeing them at a bar or opening up at Bowery. Consider Wired For Sound a positive step forward for Certain Stars.



-Matt Cohen, Delusions of Adequacy
11/23/07
- Delusions of Adequacy