Review: The Starlights' Sounds - Out Over Nothing

This really is a gem of a record...a tonic to help alleviate all the pain and strive that seems to be inflicting this little planet of ours. I admit I know very little about The Starlights' Sound short of their FB page page info which describes their music as "A collection of sonic environments designed to promote relaxation, visualization and lucid dreaming. Imagined by Senors Perrone y Hilsinger" - Senor Perrone being Stephen Perrone (guitars, bass, synth and percussion) and Doug Hilsinger (Astral projection). They are ably assisted on this album by Seth Lorinczi (Bass, organ, electric piano & manipulations), Ron Burns (drums), Josh Gordon (violin) and Eugene Freisen (cello). However, what I do know is that this album has grown and grown on me - it has crept into my consciousness and on every listen it becomes deeper and deeper embedded.

'Hudson Street' opens with an oscillating drone before Perrone's chiming guitar joins. Straight away you are transported to ...well...pretty much anywhere you wanna go. The shimmering of cymbals, lush synth and the mournful cry of violin all come together to form a simply beautiful track...it is psychedelic in that it has a distinct 'otherwordly' aspect ...it is simply blissful. There are some tracks that you just cannot get enough of and this is one of those. 'Out Over Nothing' is a showcase for Perrone's wonderful guitar playing...with just one guitar and in one track he is able to cross musical borders...the guitar weaves a melodic track from pastoral folk to psych to americana and all with an almost flamenco vibe..a short but very sweet number. 'Pictures' is another great track; the languid guitar and electric piano combine wonderfully to create a seventies 'lounge' vibe but with some more exemplary psych guitar that wails and soars but remains a subtle presence and doesn't overshadow everything. 'Up In The Branches' sees things turn once more in a more folksy, ambient direction. A simple but beautiful tune picked out on guitar - it has the feel of a 'new age' ambient track but with much, much more class and quality. 'Jet Takes A Bow' opens with an American folksy, almost bluegrass, refrain and continues in that vein throughout, very much channelling the superb Alan Lomax recordings. 'Icicles' is probably my fave on the album. Taking yet another sharp change in direction, this track is built on darkly ambient drones that reverberate around and creating a real atmosphere of dread. It is over these drones that Perrone traces some beautiful shapes with his guitar, accompanied by some rich washes of synth, it's like Loren Connors playing with the more sedate Tangerine Dream. Melancholic and rich in atmosphere, the track is simply stunning...a real oasis from the hectic pace and incessant noise of everyday life....this is music which should be prescribed by doctors. 'Sydney' is a far more upbeat number, again built on a drone, this time a piercing high pitched one. When the track opens up it becomes a mid-tempo beauty with some garage-y guitar and vocals and all under-pinned by what sounds like a Farfisa. I've gotta say the vocals aren't the best you will ever hear, but they do add a different dimension to the hitherto instrumental music. The album is brought to a close by 'The Northern Shore' and a another guitar masterclass from Perrone, this time around almost bordering on the classical. The addition of cello transforms the track into a lament - mournful and lugubrious. A suitably classy way to close the album.

As I said from the outset, this is a real gem. It is not an album you would play to get a party started but rather one to soundtrack the more introspective moments; it creates a atmosphere of calmness and tranquility. There is enough variety in the styles and approaches to keep the listener hooked and all played with consummate skill and technique. There are one or two tracks that didn't particularly 'do it' for me, but with even those there is absolutely no denying the craft and sheer musicianship but the ones I did dig are superb. A great album. 'Out Over Nothing' can be streamed via Soundcloud and streamed/purchased as a download via the Band's Bandcamp page. There is a vinyl version as well, released via Planet Seven Recordings...the only contact for them that I can find is via a website that appears to be non-operational here. If anyone can shed any further light I would be grateful!