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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Nice Debut, February 18, 2005
All Gas, No Brake is the debut album by pop-punk band Stellar Kart. It's a smart, fresh power-punk sound that fuses engaging lyrics with catchy melodies, designed to appeal to the teenage crowd but still sounding pretty good to the ears of someone who thinks he remembers what high school was like (er, that'd be me). The band members are all still fairly freshly minted high school graduates themselves (all of them are between 20-23), and the focus of their album is reflected in its title: they're going full speed ahead.
Initially, I thought they sounded like a younger version of Relient K, a band whose sound has matured over the course of its four studio albums (Relient K's most recent release, mm-hmm, came out last fall). I have to admit that's funny too: not so long ago, Relient K was a high school punk band. But while their music sounds reminiscent of Relient K or a clever synthesis of such groups as Green Day or Blink-182, ultimately Stellar Kart manages to produce their own unique concoction of pop, punk, and faith. Like many teenagers today, band members Adam Agee (vocals, guitar), Jordan Messer (drums), Cody Pellerin (guitar), and Tay Sitera (bass) enjoy living the "extreme" life; they also believe that "you can be a Christian and still rock."
Their songs have a level of personal meaning and message - for example, "Superstar" is a song about teen suicide, something that the band members indicate has affected them personally. "Second Chances" is about recovering from life's mistakes, and "Student Driver" reflects the difficulty of trying to speed through life on our own. The album also includes a cover of Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer," and I have to admit that I found it hilarious (probably unintentionally so) that they would say "we were thrilled to put our own spin on this classic tune." Then again, it's been almost twenty years, hasn't it Jon? That really puts a whole 'nother perspective on the notion of "classic rock." Let's just say that when I was growing up, Bon Jovi was hardly what you'd call a classic.
Anyway, I enjoyed the enthusiasm reflected on this album by four guys who obviously enjoy life and who also think there's something else (as they put it on the song "Life is Good," their attitude is, "Life is good/eternal life is better"). The production values are solid and the songs are engaging and fun. The frantic punk pace of something like "Student Driver" manages to slide nicely into the more melodic "A Love Song," and I have to admit that I'm still trying to decipher the lyrics on "Tree Climber," a 23-second explosion of energy and sound. All in all, it's a very nice debut; here's hoping they do indeed keep going "full steam ahead."
Note: This review was also posted on Blogcritics.org and my personal site, Walloworld.com
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly good, November 1, 2005
I am self-admittedly a "music snob"--I tend to look down on anything trendy or unoriginal. I did not get this CD expecting much at all, and on first listen, Stellar Kart sounded like every other pop/punk act out there. After a few spins, however, I came to appreciate Stellar Kart for it's own unique sound--"all gas. no brake" is definitely one of the best (if not the best) debut albums of the year.
From start to finish, this album is packed with infectious riffs and hooks, upbeat lyrics, and an overall earnestness that makes this CD just plain fun to listen to. While their sound isn't terrifically original, Stellar Kart takes the worn out genre of pop/punk and makes it sound fresh again. I also highly enjoy the acoustic songs, which texture the album perfectly.
I would highly reccommend this album to everyone. The lyrics are open, honest, and unashemedly Christian. The music is energetic, fun, and upbeat. "all gas. no brake" is just fun to listen to. Go out and get it.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stellar Kart is Amazing, February 23, 2005
This album is amazing, the band is amazing.
I recently had the most awesome time seeing these guys perform on tour(Kutless/BarlowGirl tour)...and had a chance to chat with the guys after the show. They've been a band for 3 years now, and this is their first major debut album...and a fine one it is. The guys are skilled and full of powerful, exploding talent that is displayed beautifully in each track.
This CD is great to listen to anytime. You won't regret buying it. I can still hear Stellar Kart chanting:"Life is good, eternal life is beter"
Stellar Kart is developing quite a fan-base, and is on their way to super-stardom, and many more rad reviews like this one.
Each track is great.
Tree-climber is so much fun, a short song about a wee little man(Zacchaeus lol! )
and SK's cover of Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a prayer" will make you scream.
All in all: Great up-and-coming band, with a great debut CD...what more could you want??
oh and btw:
Thanx for the autograph SK!!!!!!
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