[barkjon]

Anyone else here a Starflyer fan? SF59 has been one of my favorite bands for years now. I doubt that many of you know about SF59, so I'll sum them up here.

Starflyer was started in 1993 in Riverside, California by Jason Martin. They were the first band signed onto Tooth & Nail Records (Christian label, yeah, but there is virtually no religious mentions in the Starflyer lyrics) and were on that label until last year, when they went independent. Their sound has really changed a lot over the years, but one thing stays the same: besides vocalist/guitarist Jason Martin, the rest of the band is a generally rotating cast of musicians. Now, album list (full-lengths only, but there are a number of EPs and two comps).

Silver (1993): Great album. However, you can definitely hear how young Jason is with the (sometimes) immature lyrics. This album is pretty straight-up shoegazer, taking a lot of cues from MBV. Best tracks: "Blue Collar Love", "The Zenith", "Second Space Song"

Gold (1995): This album retains the shoegazer sound from Silver, but mellows it slightly. These lyrics are still a bit immature with a lot of focus on love and relationships, but this is still an amazing album, and easily my favorite of SF59's first 3 albums. "Housewife Love Song", "Duel Overhead Cam", "When You Feel Miserable"

Americana (1997): I don't like this album as much as I should. It takes the shoegaze-y sound and adds a Smiths-esque vibe to it. Keyboards are especially prominent in it. Lyrics are wayyyy more mature now, and this is really the first album of the defining Starflyer sound. "The Voyager", "Harmony", "The Boulevard"

The Fashion Focus (1998): This basically takes Americana and removes all shoegazy stuff (except the track "Too Much Fun"). I love this album. Keyboards are relatively prominent again. Vocals are becoming a lot better. "I Drive A Lot", "The Sundown", "Too Much Fun"

Everybody Makes Mistakes (1999): I love this album, so much. Jason really broadens his vocal range and the lyrics are amazing. Keyboards are less noticeable in a lot of the songs. EMM is noticeably more indie/alternative rock influenced. "Play The C Chord", "No More New", "Going Places"

Leave Here A Stranger (2001): This album is interesting. It was recorded in Mono, as a tribute to the Beach Boy's 'Pet Sounds'. This album is a lot mellower than previous albums, and way more thoughtful with great lyrics and singing. "When I Learn To Sing", "I Like Your Photographs", "Night Music"

Old (2003): This album is possible my favorite SF59 album. So amazing. Great drums/percussion, vocals, and production. Has a kind of melancholy and romantic vibe to it, but very straightforward indie rock. "Underneath", "Major Awards", "Unbelievers"

I Am The Portuguese Blues (2004): Probably my least favorite SF59 album. Something just doesn't feel quite right. It has a few great moments ("Destiny") but all the rest of it doesn't sound quite right.

Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice (2005): Ohh man. The return of the keyboards. Very prominent here are the keyboards, giving a kind of 80's/retro feel, but still certaintly SF59. "The Contest Completed", "Good Sons", "A Lists Go On"

My Island (2006): This album is very straightforward rock. Not my favorite album (or, imo, the best), but easily most mainstream and accessible. Amazing bass here. "The Frontman", "Nice Guy", "Pearl of Great Price"

Dial M (2008): This album almost seems like a combination of Talking Voice and My Island. Rather noticeable keyboards but very much rock. Kind of reminds me of the Smiths in ways, and he even pays homage to Johnny Marr in "Minor Keys". "Automatic", "Concentrate", "Minor Keys", "Taxi".

The Changing of the Guard (2010): This album marks a change in the Starflyer sound. It takes the indie rock that characterized their previous albums, but adds very prominent acoustic guitar and lower vocals. "Trucker's Son", "The Morning Rise/Frightening Eyes", "Cry Me A River".

Anyways, currently, Starflyer left Tooth & Nail after 18 years and used Kickstarter to produce enough funds to record an independent album (their 13th!) which is coming out early 2013. Not tons known about the sound of this album yet, but iirc you can find a demo of a song off of LP13 at starflyer59.bandcamp.com.

So, yeah. That was long. Sorry to waste your time if you don't really care, but this band is amazing and I want Starflyer to be more widespread/popular. Check them out! I'd recommend starting with Old and The Fashion Focus, and then going chronologically.

Anyways, if you're a Starflyer fan (or have any questions about the band), discuss here!

[superplaid]

i freaking love sf59. my first introduction to them was the she's the queen EP which is still hands down one of my favorite EPs ever. i grew up on "golden age christian music" a la petra, newsboys, as well as whatever was on the "mix" station at the time. within a week or so during my 8th grade year a friend introduced me to Silver and Gold, my dad got me a tooth and nail sampler that had MxPx, blenderhead, plankeye, and my preconceived ideas about music instantly shattered.

The Fashion Focus was another key album by them for me. It was different but the same, and i loved it. I've kind of waned on them over the past 5 to ten years, though I make sure to listen to what I can of their new stuff.

I will say, I found The Brothers Martin album particularly enjoyable. And I have a secret candyland crush on joy electric.

[barkjon]

Yeah, TFF has probably changed my music taste, for the better. Awesome to see another SF59 fan here :D

I loved the Brothers Martin album personally. Seriously. "Get The Money" and "Opportunities" are amazing. JE is great too (Robot Rock and Otherly Opus are awesome).

Among Jason Martin's other side projects, I love Neon Horse (with two guys from Stavesacre, iirc) and Bon Voyage (basically SF59 but his wife singing).

[singyoutocoma]

Definitely had some love for these guys in that phase where T&N changed my life. I feel like I'd be a bigger fan if I tried to get back into them, now that I'm a fan of shoegaze, etc. in general. But Old was definitely amazing. Also, I have an irrational love of Neon Horse.

[barkjon]

Originally Posted by singyoutocoma

Definitely had some love for these guys in that phase where T&N changed my life. I feel like I'd be a bigger fan if I tried to get back into them, now that I'm a fan of shoegaze, etc. in general. But Old was definitely amazing. Also, I have an irrational love of Neon Horse.

yeah yeah. I definitely recommend checking out Silver and Gold (maybe Americana?) if you dig shoegaze now. And Old is probably my fav Starflyer album (though I love them all) and one of my all time favorite albums.

[HogarthHughes]

I think I may try to get into these guys. I know Schuylar from He Is Legend is a big fan, and I tend to enjoy most of the stuff that band recommends. Thanks for listing tracks off each album to try out.

[skellorock]

Both of the Martin's are great artists, SF59 is one of the most consistent bands out there, not ever album they've done is jaw dropping, but they've never had a bad one, solid is the only word i can use to describe em.

i'd recommend starting out with something like My Island or Leave Here a Stranger, if your looking for very accessible records, or if your looking more for the shoegazy stuff i'd start at the beginning with Silver, pretty solid for a debut album f you ask me.

they've also some great Christmas recordings, this should be on everyones Holiday playlist

[barkjon]

Originally Posted by skellorock

Both of the Martin's are great artists, SF59 is one of the most consistent bands out there, not ever album they've done is jaw dropping, but they've never had a bad one, solid is the only word i can use to describe em.

i'd recommend starting out with something like My Island or Leave Here a Stranger, if your looking for very accessible records, or if your looking more for the shoegazy stuff i'd start at the beginning with Silver, pretty solid for a debut album f you ask me.

they've also some great Christmas recordings, this should be on everyones Holiday playlist

^agree with everything said here. My Island and LHAS are easily the most accessible, though not my favorites.

[superplaid]

I remember seeing Bon Voyage way back, I believe with Fold Zandura and The Lassie Foundation? I think? It's been like 13 years. but they were tremendous, too. i miss the good old days of tooth and nail. those concerts and the excitement of those albums were beyond epic.

[xJesusFreakx]

Of what I've tasted of this band/guy, Leave Here a Stranger and Silver are easily my favorites. Just love the sounds of both those albums. I wanna give their latest a shot sometime, too; I think I liked the single from that one.

[macrameowls]

My favorite artist of all-time. The only cassette I still own is Americana, my old profile name was The Fashion Focus, and Jason mixed/mastered my band's album. Great guy.

[Busyramone]

Silver is a great album, i hated it when i first heard though cause it didnt sound like mxpx haha nowadays id probably hate it if it did! How times change.

[barkjon]

Originally Posted by macrameowls

My favorite artist of all-time. The only cassette I still own is Americana, my old profile name was The Fashion Focus, and Jason mixed/mastered my band's album. Great guy.

awesome to see another hardcore SF59 fan here!

[barkjon]

incredibly sorry for double post, buuuut...

New Starflyer song! Soo pumped! HTTP://soundcloud.com/starflyer59/openhands

Check it!

[barkjon]

So excited for this new album, coming out early 2013 iirc. Tentative name is IAMACEO.