Dial M Review in the Chicago Sun-Times

[Spirit Flyer]

Spin Control
Chicago Sun-Times (IL) - Sunday, December 21, 2008
Author: The Chicago Sun-Times
Rating 4 out of 4 Essential

Rating 3 out of 4 Good

Rating 2 out of 4 Fair

Rating 1 out of 4 Poor

INDIE ROCK

Starflyer 59, "Dial M" (Tooth and Nail) Rating 3 out of 4

"The saddest songs are wrote in minor keys." So instructs reliable shoegazer Jason Martin during the plaintive "Minor Keys," as he endeavors to convince himself that tough times build character. The song's layered guitars and melancholy mood would suggest longstanding devotion to the Smiths, even without name-checking Johnny Marr in the chorus.

Once a half-whispering, reluctant singer, Martin has developed the confidence to push his vocals ahead of his guitars. The album's melodic strengths place "Dial M" in the company of SF59 highlights like 1998's Brit-pop influenced "The Fashion Focus," and gives songs like "Altercation" appeal beyond fans of My Bloody Valentine or 2004's sludgy "I Am the Portuguese Blues." Steven Dail's disco bass and Martin's thick synths during "Concentrate" meet at the three-way intersection of Joy Division, Duran Duran and the Cure.

With fat analong synthesizer, spy-movie guitar and solid thump from former Pedro the Lion drummer Trey Many, "Taxi" most closely suggests Martin's recent glam-rock side project Neon Horse. As bright melody obscures Morrissey-like levels of world-weariness, Martin seeks the cabbie who can transport him from a grinding life marked by a broken heart and broken dream.

Martin has often written lyrics as if cribbed from his diary. During "I Love You Like the Little Bird," the veteran admits, "Sometimes ... I feel so obsolete, because the kids want a faster beat." Much as Martin has looked to his heroes from the New Wave, younger seekers like those characterized in "Mr. Martin" (a virtual talk with Martin's recently deceased father) are looking to him. With a still-evolving sound after 11 albums and Martin's strongest hooks to date, Starflyer 59 isn't outdated yet.

Jeff Elbel

[Metaphizzle]

Nice.

From December, huh? Sure took them a while.