Cosmic Starfish
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Cosmic Starfish

Band EDM Singer/Songwriter

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"bright, beautiful electropop"

Upon returning from SXSW, I discovered that a strange thing had happened: spring had returned to the Southland. And I didn't even really need to go outside to learn that a change had occurred, that the birds and sun had found their way back to LA. All I had to do was listen to Cosmic Starfish's self-titled album and there was no question the ice was thawing.

The bright, beautiful electropop featured here is the result of the multitalented artist Jeffrey Randall Snyder coupled with the production skills of one Adrien75. Snyder competently tackles banks of Casios, acoustic guitars and drum machines but really leaves his mark with an unusual yet familiar vocal style: part Polyphonic, part Revolver-era Lennon, part Marc Bianchi. Comparisons to Aspera's Drew Mills also spring to mind. As a matter of fact, an Aspera/Cosmic Starfish show would make a lot of sense.

The songs are appropriately clean and shiny and the production is crisp. Instrumentals such as "Sea Major" evoke a 22nd-century version of the "Three's Company" theme music. Likewise, the lyrical content, for the most part, is lighthearted (such as that of "Don't Give Up" and the tongue-in-cheek "XXX"), but does get melancholy; on the song "Behind My House," Snyder "long[s] for the sound of mono radio" and makes us believe it. And almost everything is given a thin coat of sunshine psychedelia.

While the album might not be flawless (sometimes whimsy turns to goofiness and the sentiment begins to cloy), it is strong and, more importantly, fun. Picnic season is soon approaching and you won't want to spread the blanket without this on your iPod. - by Jeremy writer for Musicspork


"Cosmic Starfish Gives Electronica a Soul"


At first glance, Cosmic Starfish's name may be a bit abnormal and untraditional, but their self-titled debut album shows off their creativity.

The album is production from singer Jeffrey Randall Snyder and electronica genius Adrien75. Combining soft acoustics, unique lyrics, and smooth electronic beats, the album provides talent in a vaguely defined area of music.

The opening song "Don't Give Up" starts the compilation with a soft electronica song. After listening to the song, however, it is easy to discover that the unusual lyrics and bass lines make a wondrous track that is hard to describe. "Hey, let's run away. It's such a shame to see you cry�" are the opening lyrics to the song. Although they may seem unconventional, the lyrics help create a surprisingly catchy song in combination with the computer-based beats.

The following track, "What's Real," tends to have more of a single tone. In addition to being the album's first single, "What's Real" is one of the most notable songs. Unusual lyrics also exist in the simplistic song, "The world is turning and so am I." However, the combination of soft acoustic guitar and the unique computer beats truly demonstrate the psychedelic tone of the album.

The psychedelic tone set in the album continues in the song "Blue Tuesday." The comical lyrics in the song such as "�all that was between me and her was a hookah. All she could say was super fly snuka�" and funky acoustic riffs provide a memorable track. Toward the end of the song, though, the beat changes into an excellent electronica solo.

Calming the listener and providing a softer side to the album, "Behind My House" is a short medley for listeners who want a break from the outlandish beats and lyrics earlier in the album.

As unique and very psychedelic as the album appears, certain tracks such as "Sea Major" also demonstrate the other artistic talents of Adrien75. The song is purely instrumental, but uses very ear-friendly synthesizers and electronic beats similar to those of bands such as Pink Floyd.

The combination of talents and subtle, yet powerful tone of the song are reasons alone to give the CD a try. Listeners may also be pleased with a short ska/soft rock track entitled "Landing out of Place." The song offers a nice variety to the album's psychedelic overtone.

"Fish in a Bowl" returns the listener back to the cosmic world of the group with its untraditional song title and even more untraditional, yet interesting set of lyrics.

The subsequent songs tend to remain soft and give a little less variation than previous tracks.

"Happy Most of the Time" seems to be a slower version of a techno tune one would hear in a dance club. "Plug & Play" and "Silverlake" also remain rather quiet, but are still worth the time.

Setting the stage for a grand finale, "Grace Fool" tends to build a higher volume, larger use of synthesizers, and overall memorable lyrics such as "So wipe that smile off your face, I'd rather go this one alone" that complete the album with a very fitting end.

Cosmic Starfish's self-titled debut is clearly a very talented set of psychedelic tracks. Definitely worth recommending, the album is a smooth compilation for 2006. - Bart Gottula writer for The Clarion - U of Denver Student Newspaper


Discography

Self Titled Debut Out May 2nd, 2006

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Cosmic Starfish is made up of two elements: The acoustic songs of Jeffrey Randall Snyder and the electronic production of Adrien75. Together, they have created a fresh musical aesthetic that blends the psychedelic elements of IDM with the warm approachability of folk.

Live, CS is just Jeffrey and an iPod fabrication of Adrien75. Since all the music (except for the vocals and acoustic guitar) sounds synthetic, no one seems to mind the backing band being a little, white box.