Obvious Daily Music Review: Clouded Staircase by Starling ELectric

Write-ups and early reviews for Starling Electric make it sound like the second coming of The Beatles or some mythically perfect band for my musical tastes. Check out this official description on Amazon.com: “The debut by Ann Arbor, MI's Starling Electric is a melting pot of 60s and 70s influences - the melodic harmonies of the Beach Boys, Zombies, and Byrds; the prog and art-rock of Yes, 10cc, Genesis, and Elton John; the baroque craftsmanship of The Left Banke and Love; and the pomposity and swagger of The Who, Queen, and ELO.” I almost soiled myself after reading that…it made me immediately want to hear this album! Clouded Staircase by Starling Electric is not quite all that though. I think whoever wrote that may have been listening to my mythical dream band. I don’t hear any Queen, ELO or Elton John but I do hear lots of 60’s and 70’s power pop as recorded by a modern indie-pop outfit. There are some beautiful and brilliant songs including the amazing “I Got Scared,” a tune consisting mostly of beautiful vocals over 60’s and 70’s mood music, as well as the stunning power pop of “Camp-Fire” and “Black Ghost/Black Girl.” Overall though, it’s a mixed bag. The first two tracks bored me to tears and I was afraid for a moment I had purchased a record other than the one that was being described. If you’re into that 60’s and70’s pop, you’ll love about half of this record. It is way too long with 18 tracks, which would almost be a triple-album by power pop standards. That said, this is one band to watch and I can’t wait for their next record.

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For more info: www.starlingelectric.com

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