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Artist: Starfuzz
Title: You Are Food
Something genius may have hatched in Denver. Starfuzz recorded
You Are Food the ninth time they got together; the spotlight would
have shown more brightly on this debut album had its release not
followed so closely on the heels of local artist
The Fray's hype. Starfuzz breaks some rules
when it comes to endearing themselves to
the particular thought processes of the fickle
indie rock crowd. You Are Food has all the
sensible popular indie rock elements of good
Nada Surf. But lo and behold, there are actually
some guitar leads on their album. They
seem to be less depressed than Thom Yorke,
but not so happy as 'post-Gwyneth' Chris
Martin. So, is it real indie rock or 'sell out'
indie rock? Who cares! The synergy of their
rhythm/counter-rhythm acoustic work sets
the mood for some heady and hooky melodies driven by bass and
vocals, and a tasteful dose of vocal harmony action adds additional
interest and provides yet another level of stimulation. There are too
many good tracks to single out any one: the album is full of gems
penned primarily by Ryan Countryman and Josh Skelton, and the
band has added string arrangements to make the deftly-produced
tracks soar around the moving bass-work of Curtis Durham.
Drummer Jared Schiltz keeps solid and interesting beats that stay
tasteful and effective. Perhaps the band will
entertain less conventional beats and move
towards the neurotic syncopation of The
Postal Service as it moves forward. Who
could guess with this creative crew? Starfuzz
might cross over and enjoy the success of
bands that can appeal to both pop and indie
rock crowds, but they may choose to occupy
their own orbit for a time. To put out this
album in Denver rather than Manchester suggests
that they could care less about shaping
their music to the masses. Thus their nonplan
just may be the perfect master plan. Buy
this album because it is good, and because it will build crippling
anticipation for their next effort. Or is that their master plan? - Xposur Magainze
Great chemistry has enabled this Denver outfit to capture melodic, endearing songwriting
-Elana Jefferson - Denver Post
Starfuzz takes a bold step in introducing a blend that combines age-old rock harmonies, wildly dissonant pop hooks and a steady rhythmic backbeat reminiscent of both ‘60s psychedelia and ‘70s arena anthems.
- Dave Haucke - Kaffeine Buzz
The music of Starfuzz appeals at a high technical level. It's intelligent, VERY well constructed and is absolute ear candy.
- Rob Salyers - PCFDP.com
A kaleidoscopic endeavor that cribs equally from the annals of Brit pop and classic rock, You Are Food will satiate those hungry for the bygone days of album rock.
- Dave Herrera - Westword
Discography
Product For American Radio (EP - 2006)
Your Are Food (LP - 2004)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Denver, Colorado's Starfuzz began in 2003 when Josh Skelton decided to start his own project. He eventually met Ryan Countryman through a local music board, and found someone whose attention to melody, lyrics, and song composition would help to produce the band's signature full-bodied guitar and vocal harmonies. The resulting sound has been compared to the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and late 60's classic rock forged with more modern acts such as early Radiohead, U2, Pavement, and Coldplay.
For three months the two worked on a three-song demo and continued to search for a rhythm section to help them with this project. After auditioning numerous combinations, Jared Schiltz (drums) and Curtis Durham (bass), who had played together for 3-years in an experimental jazz fusion band, fit in perfectly with the band's burgeoning vision.
The three-song demo quickly bloomed into a full-length, 11-song album, You Are Food, and the band hit the scene with full force in early fall of 2004.
In a Westword review, musical editor Dave Herrera wrote, "Vibrant Floydian guitar arpeggios and synth interludes shimmer over sturdy yet understated bass lines throughout the disc… lush vocal arrangements-- recall the melodic sensibilities of both the Fab Four and Paul Simon. Food has all the makings of a classic album."
Jake Schroeder, of Opie Gone Bad and host of 99.5 The Mountain's "Homegrown Hour," heard their music and immediately invited them to perform on his radio show. Schroeder introduced them as, "A brand new band, but they're unbelievable." As a result, their song "Better Rockets" was included on the Mountain Homegrown Volume 2, a compilation of acts recorded live in the Mountain's studio.
You Are Food was chosen as one of the top 10 local albums of 2004 by The Denver Post and named one of 2004's best by Westword.
In the Spring of 2005, Starfuzz was invited to play for two 93.3 KTCL sponsored shows, including Denver's very own Love.45 (Rockridge Music) and The Fray (Epic).
Enjoying the success of their debut demo album, Starfuzz went back into the studio, in the fall, to record a 6-song EP entitled "Product for American Radio." The album is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2006.
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