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Stellar
Drown the Sun
So Cal outfit Stellar burst onto the scene with their first full-length, a blistering assortment of energy and ambition wrapped into eight energetic tracks. Unable to be pinned down by any single genre label, Stellar most closely adopts the emo sound popular with the beach-culture bands of the region, but keeps its sound fresh with a constant refusal to be pigeonholed.
Drown the Sun starts off with its title track, a churn of guitars announcing the arrival of one of the most talented local bands around. Lyrics speak to the indecision and invincibility of youth, lead singer Michael Foster’s energetic shout propelled along by the vocal accompaniments of his band members. “Cellophane Skies” sarcastically blasts out an angered attack against authority: “You know you can’t escape/ be a good boy.” “Cut Me Bleeding’s” despondent chorus of “I’m sorry/I’m sorry now” expertly captures the angst of numetal without the genre’s hackneyed instrumentalism.
“Amnesia” is another album highlight, Jaysin Sheahan’s heavy guitarwork channeling the dynamism of The Cult. Foster sings of forgotten love and lingering feeling: “So I touch the scars upon my face/the scars that die/just can’t replace” as multiple guitars and a propellant drum line amplify his cries.
While Stellar does occasionally surrender to the clichés of quiet/loud dynamics and the ever-popular seething whisper, Drown the Sun’s constant reinvention keeps the music fresh for any listener (save the monotonous “Stitches,” which repeats the phrase “the stitches are what’s left of me” or some slight variation thereof some thirty times).
Far and away the best work on the album, “El Nada” masterfully wraps up Drown the Sun with its heartfelt lyrics and slow balladic tones. Utilizing vocal distortion reminiscent of Eiffel 65 over a lilting, soft techno track that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Moby record, the song artfully captures the longing of youth for love. “I think about all the times that we had before the days got longer and your heart grew colder.” Foster’s pained falsetto almost raps the words of loss and desire, tranquil synthesizers underscoring the quavering of his voice. It’s work like this that proves Stellar is a band to look out for.
www.thebandstellar.com
- Rafael Garcia @ 2 Walls Webzine - www.2walls.com
Discography
"Drown the Sun" (Eight song EP) 2004
"We all fall down" (Five song EP) 2002
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www.myspace.com/stellar
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Stellar, named after “ The Stars and the Unreachable”, is a four piece hard hitting rock band from Orange County, California that unleashes an eruption of guitar driven melodic harmonies ranging from thick distortion to pleasant cleans, precision drumming, tight bass grooves and sincere, passionate vocals. Formed by five emotionally dedicated and ambitious musicians: Michael Foster (vocals), Jaysin Sheahan (guitar), Sam Westre (guitar), Kevin DeCapite (bass), and Rusty Dugan (drums); Stellar has productively sold their Eight Song EP, entitled "Drown the Sun", which received overwhelming reviews and sold to over 27 US states among several other Countries including England and Spain.
Stellar's focus, assertiveness and commitment to creating honest, pure, original rock has forged their unique textured sound and set them apart from the seemingly endless ocean of the independent and mainstream music scene. For more than three years Stellar has flourished, placing their music on radio, TV and several independent films including "Slammed", released by Creative Light Entertainment and "Sex, Shoes and Unicorns", released by 319 Productions.
The heart-felt emotion of Stellar's live performances have long pleased crowds at venues throughout Southern California, such as: House of Blues, The Roxy, The Troubador, The Galaxy and Chain Reaction; to name a few. Which in turn has produced comparisons and live reviews to bands like The Used, My Chemical Romance and The Foo Fighters. More information on the band is available at www.TheBandStellar.com.
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