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stellastarr*
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  • Record Label:
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stellastarr* Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: The New-York four piece makes its full-length debut with this 10-track effort that has drawn comparisons to the usual suspects (Joy Division, The Cure, The Pixies, et al) as well as to newer bands who also draw from the same sources (Interpol, Hot Hot Heat, et al).

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Alternative Press
    100
    The band update a tired synth-pop sound with purring guitars and just enough punked-out drum and vocal flourishes to give texture to what might otherwise have become new-wave wallpaper. [Nov 2003, p.114]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Drowned In Sound
    90
    'Stellastarr*' is a rare beast; one that takes from its peers and gives back something fresh, imaginative and breathlessly great.
  3. Magnet
    80
    There hasn't been a set of pretenders this convincing since Interpol. [#61, p.107]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    I know the whole ‘retro-rock’ thing is en vogue in about a bazillion different ways, but Stellastarr*’s take just seems a bit more energetic and vibrant than most. Considering the genre, this disc is a frighteningly solid listen.
  5. The Guardian
    70
    Although they can generate a gothic tombstone rumble as convincingly as fellow New Yorkers Interpol, they prefer to keep moving, throwing in fresh hooks at every turn and making no secret of their influences.
  6. Under The Radar
    70
    A pure pleasure to listen to. [#5, p.103]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Spin
    50
    Singer/songwriter Shawn Christensen's yelping Oingo-Boingo-ish voice gets grating fast. [Nov 2003, p.117]
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See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. ExecutionerJones
    Dec 24, 2005
    10
    One of my very favorite albums.It's crazy funny pretty and it rocks! It's what you'd get if you mixed the Talking Heads and One of my very favorite albums.It's crazy funny pretty and it rocks! It's what you'd get if you mixed the Talking Heads and the Pixies. Also Shawn Christensen's voice is powerful and unique.… Expand
  2. NickyR
    Feb 1, 2004
    10
    This is now up there with my favorite albums oof all time it is flawless and i cannot stop listening to it i have seen them 4 times already This is now up there with my favorite albums oof all time it is flawless and i cannot stop listening to it i have seen them 4 times already and they blew ash of the stage that takes some balls!… Expand
  4. jeffm
    Dec 9, 2004
    9
    sure they sound like a lot of other band (mostly the cure and the pixies, i think), but the song are just so well written.....i can't sure they sound like a lot of other band (mostly the cure and the pixies, i think), but the song are just so well written.....i can't help adoring this album. 'my coco' is one of my favourite tunes, building as it does to such an amazing crescendo. the sequencing on this album is great as well. 'untitled', while perhaps one of the least original tracks, plays like one of the best, placed where it is.… Expand
  5. Shane
    May 29, 2004
    8
    A couple elite rockin' pop tunes with a couple more catchy songs. The rest of the songs are just average and depth is the only thing A couple elite rockin' pop tunes with a couple more catchy songs. The rest of the songs are just average and depth is the only thing that takes away from the album. … Collapse
  6. DavisW
    May 9, 2005
    8
    A genuinely fun album. I love it.
  7. JeremyG
    Jan 4, 2004
    7
    A band that definitely feels like a sum of its influences, rather than one that has a unique sonic statement to make. Points to the frontman A band that definitely feels like a sum of its influences, rather than one that has a unique sonic statement to make. Points to the frontman for his vocal style, demerits for (at times) boring songwriting.… Expand
  8. ACE!
    Jul 22, 2004
    3
    Leads the pack in an age where a lack of originality and copping of early-80's music (esp. that bloated dinosaur the Cure) are Leads the pack in an age where a lack of originality and copping of early-80's music (esp. that bloated dinosaur the Cure) are prerequisites of buzz. Couldn't be more derivative of its influences if it was merely a cover album.… Expand

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