Customer Reviews

Distant Effects

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Following their stint in the marvelous Magic Hour, guitarists
Wayne Rogers and Kate Village (also proprietors of the ultra-fine
store/label Twisted Village) embarked on a "Rock Revival" -- as
they titled a previous Major Stars record. Considering this means
that their guitar slinging gets to freak out even more, everyone
should applaud their endeavor. Together with rhythm section Tom
Leonard and Dave Lynch, Major Stars have spelunked into the depths
of psychedelicized hard rock and through several albums continue
to bring up gems. Though the sum of the parts is definitely what
counts here, I can't help but claim that Wayne's wah-abusing leads
are among the best out there when it comes to tasteful, joyful
chaos. Hendrix would be proud, as are those of us who have seen
-- well, heard -- the light.
Distant Effects, their finest half-hour yet, opens with
"No Higher Meaning", a 4-minute piece of melodic drone rock. It
possesses an unusual mix, with Wayne's vocals drifting pretty
high while the dense guitars churn in the background. This one
actually sounds more like Magic Hour than most recent Major Stars
songs have, which is no bad thing. "Hardly Mention" follows, alternating
calm, pretty verses with breaks that rock significantly harder,
letting the guitars squeal while the rhythm section stops-and-starts
in fine fashion.
"Are We" initially feels like a sad ode to life itself, but
it's uplifted by a sheer joy that kicks in following the vocals
-- it's clear that the band is having such a blast that nothing
could be all that bad. The lead guitar scrambles for release,
among other things, demonstrating that one can play really fast
without losing the point. Wayne goes completely bonkers -- in
a good way -- and lets loose with flurries of notes that stay
together somehow, maintaining a firm melodic sense even as it
all threatens to break apart into utter insanity.
The last song, "Elephant", is the epic here. Fifteen minutes
of majestic psychedelic rock rollercoastering from placid verses
towards an ever-growing, pulsating conclusion of droning guitars.
As the end nears, suddenly we're left with nothing but guitar
tones droning and buzzing, somehow not exactly feeding back. The
overtones are quite hallucinatory if you're into that sort of
thing. Which you should be.
Thoughout, the band keeps a firm balance, perhaps one part dreamy
vocals to three parts instrumental frenzy: a recipe which is certainly
perfect for my palate. The songs rest on Wayne's vocals during
the lulls, letting the songs reach for the stars (so to speak)
the rest of the time. No matter how chaotic it all seems during
the high points, there's always a solid place in which to return,
and it's that control that makes the songs stick together. The
band's got a rare combination of power and self-restraint, perfectly
balanced.
My only possible complaint here has nothing to do with the songs.
It's just that I would have liked to hear the guitars stronger
in the mix -- the recording doesn't quite satisfy my desire to
hear all of the nuances and overtones that I can feel during the
band's live shows. Nonetheless, it's certainly good enough to
communicate the songs' power and assurance, so this is a relatively
minor nitpick. And while some might argue that the album is too
short, I really do prefer erring on the side of brevity. I'd rather
be left wanting more than what usually happens, which is that
I get about 50 minutes through a 70 minute album, and turn it
off. Distant Effects is 34 minutes of solid, superb quality, which
is the way it should be.

I am the third reviewer of Major Stars Distant Effects. In my opinion BOTH the previous reviewers go too far in the wrong direction with their criticism. This disc is neither the end all be all of neo-psychedelia nor is it the worst. I gave this disc a four star rating rather then a three because I can't give it a 3 1/2 which is what it really deserves.

First the negative. Wayne Rogers vocals are FINE! Dissing his vocal style is like saying Neil Young can't sing. Yes Neal CAN sing and so can Wayne. If you don't like it just say so, don't tear him and the production values (which as a sound engineer I think are very good, too) a new rear end. I love the low key droning effect Wayne gives to the vocals. Also, I'm not sure what the heck is meant about "rushing" to the guitar solo?" I've had, listened and loved this recording since its release and have NEVER felt this. Ever song unfolds just as the composer wrote and intended it to.

Now the positive. While Rogers and crew are fine musicians and need to be listened to they are not rock gods reinventing the world of psychedelia. Reviewers tend to pick items they feel overly passionate about to review. This positive review is just that. WAY to over the top positive about a record that is good, maybe even very good, but not great.

Lastly, I do strongly agree with the reviewer who sends you to the Brian Jonestown Massacre, Dandy Warhols and others. All fine examples of neo-psychedelia. Try these, too...Boris, Baikal, Bardo Pond, High Violets, Mogwai, Kinski, Upside Down, Dead Meadow, Quarter After, just to name a few

Let me say that I think that the lead guitar work on this CD is really amazing.

The PROBLEM with this CD is that the Major Stars think the point of psychedelia is to get to that guitar solo. It all comes off rushed and incomplete sounding. Thier apporach to songwriting is that of a teenaged boy who can't be bothered with foreplay when the promised land is in sight.

The songs (only 4) on this CD (just 30 minutes of music) suffer greatly from this impatience. If these guys would consider such novel songwriting concepts as intros or theme shifts, they would improve a thousand-fold.

My other real problem with the Major Stars is the singer. Every song is delivered in a monotone dirge that contradicts with the joy of the guitars. They've done some hokey doubling of the voice in what must have been an attempt to make up for lack of vocal dynamics, but it only adds another layer of bad vocal. Can't anyone think of a harmony guys??? Although the musicianship is excellent, the vocals are so awful that it makes the 30 minutes of this release drag on forever.

I was really dissapointed with this, particularly after reading the other review. For a much better experience with neo-psychedelia, buy Brian Jonestown Massacre, the Warlocks, Dandy Warhols, Photon Band, Asteriod 4, Olivia Tremor Control or Elf Power. Major Stars are a Major Dissapointment.