And Then the Stars Fell
It is very clear after one listening to And Then the Stars Fell’s New Reality EP that they have read the pop-punk encyclopedia. They have the nasally vocals, the breakdowns, the catchy hooks. A five-piece from Aurora, these guys are playing the music they love and it shows.
Musically, they meet the standards of this generation of pop punk. Easy to follow guitar, simple drum sequences, catchy vocals, and the recent perceived necessity – SYNTH. My issue with this: no matter how smooth, collected, catchy or professional synth sounds, it is a fractional reflection on the band’s ability. It is also the simplest way to make any musician (or human being with a mic) sound exactly like every other band. ATTSF incorporates it well into most songs, but at times could benefit with a substitution of a guitar or drum solo – the synth holds them back. Mid-EP, they pull a bold move with an instrumental/synthamental “Interlude”; an entertaining piece yet nothing that broke barriers.
Within the first 30 seconds of a song, I’m back in high school; not just with what I was listening to then, but what my 15 year-old self considered a tragedy, victory or simply put, life-ender. These are dreamer lyrics, lyrics of infatuation and hyperbolic statements. To drive home my hyperbolic comment: In the song “Illuminate,” frontman Chad Blackham croons “I’ll never fall in love again.” Keep in mind that three of the five-piece are 16 years-old, and Chad and another are 18. That being said, the lyrics reflect where ATTSF is musically as well as in their lives.
ATTSF have been together a mere year, with the New Reality EP their first release and an LP in the works. Given this and their age, their sound indicates they have the ability to compete with the signed bands of their genre, after some musical development. “Not Without a Fight” has the sound of Houston Calls, with other songs holding remnants of Cartel meets Starting Line meets Hellogoodbye meets All Time Low, with a formal introduction from Mr. Pop-Punk himself. ATTSF have made huge strides in creating the sound they’re after, and now the task lies in differentiating themselves from their influences.
Check out And Then the Stars Fell’s live performance this Thu 12/30 at 5:30PM @ the Grog Shop where they’ll share the spotlight with fellow Clevelanders Exit Cleveland, Into The Crowd, Sweet Asylum and Here Lies Valor. Guaranteed to be a high-energy show. Memorize the lyrics beforehand to enhance your sing-along experience at http://www.MySpace.com/attsf.
Laurie Wanninger is a Cleveland convert, having lived in Pittsburgh for 20 years. After attending John Carroll University, she was sold on the city and now lives, works and breathes Cleveland. Spare time is spent DJing Music for Your Laundry List at WJCU 88.7, bicycling, going to local concerts and dreaming of microbrews and National Parks.