Starling - Semaphore (11/02/2013)
Leaving behind his days as a punk rocker in Melbourne. Simon Starling has since moved to Sydney and collaborated with Devoted Few bassist Wes Gregorace, releasing their newest album Semaphore under the name Starling.
Despite the caliber of Starling and Gregorance, Semaphore was also produced by the likes of Steve Kilbey the vocalist for The Church, Tim Powles also of The Church and Davey Lane of You Am I/The Pictures.
‘I Want To Love’ opens the album, signifying the defining theme of the album, although it does not cement it. Somewhat slow and repetitive, the song does justice for Starling and Gregorace intentions but it does not set up the entire album.
‘Lovebirds’ on the other-hand is a hearty, upbeat acoustic piece creating a flow of voice and beat into one. ‘So Cruel’ slows the momentum created till its part, the break consists of electric guitars fixating the song to be far more memorable than it’s respective counterparts featured on the album.
The final song, ‘Nightfall’ is a beautiful, smooth instrumental song featuring the mixture of an acoustic guitar and piano. With the addition of a soothing hum echoing at different parts, the album’s departure is slowly panned out to create a mellow effect.
The remaining tracks are somewhat similar, all illustrating the theme loneliness highlighted the lyrics of “I Want To Love’. Despite its one orientated theme, the music showcased in Semaphore is wonderfully paced creating the illusion of listening to one long song instead of numerous ones.
Jason Cheung
Despite the caliber of Starling and Gregorance, Semaphore was also produced by the likes of Steve Kilbey the vocalist for The Church, Tim Powles also of The Church and Davey Lane of You Am I/The Pictures.
‘I Want To Love’ opens the album, signifying the defining theme of the album, although it does not cement it. Somewhat slow and repetitive, the song does justice for Starling and Gregorace intentions but it does not set up the entire album.
‘Lovebirds’ on the other-hand is a hearty, upbeat acoustic piece creating a flow of voice and beat into one. ‘So Cruel’ slows the momentum created till its part, the break consists of electric guitars fixating the song to be far more memorable than it’s respective counterparts featured on the album.
The final song, ‘Nightfall’ is a beautiful, smooth instrumental song featuring the mixture of an acoustic guitar and piano. With the addition of a soothing hum echoing at different parts, the album’s departure is slowly panned out to create a mellow effect.
The remaining tracks are somewhat similar, all illustrating the theme loneliness highlighted the lyrics of “I Want To Love’. Despite its one orientated theme, the music showcased in Semaphore is wonderfully paced creating the illusion of listening to one long song instead of numerous ones.
Jason Cheung