Description
The self-titled debut album by the American indie rock band Starflyer 59 – an album known as Silver – was released on Tooth & Nail Records in March 1994, distributed by Diamante Distribution. The album was produced by Mortal’s Jyro Xhan and Jerome Fontamillas.
Starflyer 59 was the third band signed to Tooth & Nail Records, the mothership of ‘90s Christian alternative music. Appearing in 1994 primarily as a solo vehicle for Jason Martin, Starflyer’s debut album garnered early praise from publications like CMJ, Alternative Press, and Whirlpool, who called it “spacious and lovely, full of hushed vocals and grandiose guitars.” A sterling study in reverb and overdrive, Martin was quickly establishing himself as “America’s answer to My Bloody Valentine.”
The debut album was followed by the eight-track CD-EP She’s The Queen, released in December 1994.
…it was like members of a seminal Brit-pop noise band had collaborated with a 70s rock guitar hero for an album. The noisy drones, whispery vocals, and washes of white noise guitar segued into balls-to-the-wall Gibson Les Paul onslaughts…He accurately captured the artsy, introspective, getting-hugged-by-a-friendly-swarm-of-bees cacophony akin to the likes of 4AD label artists, while still managing to employ that traditional guitar-phallic machismo. It was the best of both worlds. It was atmospheric, moody, lovesick, and romantically lonely sounding, the ideal music for a stay indoors, drizzly Seattle winter. [Bandoppler]
In a year already distinguished by the release (or imminent release) of some of the best modern rock in recent years, starflyer 59 ranks near the top. The trio features Jason Martin, whose name and voice you may remember from the synth-pop group Dance House Children. Martin has formed what you’d call a “noise pop” band (e.g. My Bloody Valentine, Swervedriver). The production team of Blood (Mark Rodriguez and Jerome & Gyro from Mortal) has created a lush landscape with thick, distorted guitars high in the mix, over which Martin lays his delicate, dreamy vocals. Many of the bands which influence Martin’s group are often derided by the press as “shoe-gazers,” not only for their introverted stage presence, but for their sometimes inscrutable lyrics. Martin is not immune for that criticism, since the emphasis here is more on mood than message. So I’d recommend starflyer 59 to you for those times when highly-charged atmosphere is more important to you than prolific lyrics. This band is very good and quite unlike anything else in Christian music. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, June 1994]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/silver-extended-edition/724206175)
CD tracklist:
01. Blue Collar Love – 4:03
02. Monterey – 2:59
03. Sled – 3:27
04. Hazel Would – 2:53
05. The Zenith – 5:35
06. 2nd Space Song – 3:20
07. Droned – 4:32
08. Happy Days Are Here Again – 1:16
09. She Only Knows – 2:07
10. The Dungeon – 3:49
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Tooth & Nail Records. Later re-issued on 12-inch vinyl LP. Remastered and re-issued as an Extended Edition by Tooth & Nail Records in 2005, featuring the She’s The Queen EP in its entirety as a bonus. A Silver Anniversary Edition of the album was released on 180 gram 12-inch vinyl LP by Velvet Blue Music in 2018.
Cover Artwork, Extended Edition, 2005
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