Brittle Stars - Brittle Stars

All Music Guide

The Gainesville, FL-based Brittle Stars burst onto the indie pop scene in the late '90s with this self-titled debut disc on Shelflife Records. Like many indie pop bands, the group chose to only list the first names of the members in the album's liner notes. The band's poppy sound is comparable to the Sundays, backed by a simplified New Order sound. The catchy opening guitar line on "Tripping Me Up" leads to a steady drumbeat and wavy keyboard, which eventually give way to Estelle's sweet vocals. The music is always simple and beat-driven, highlighted by Estelle's echoing and high-pitched vocals. On "You Went in Phases," the synthesizer and drumbeat unite to epitomize the band's summery sound. The sound is usually whimsical, but the vocals often resonate a melancholy and thoughtful mood. The gentle and sweet pop instrumentation throughout is easily the most appealing aspect of the band's sound, followed closely by the blissfully serene vocals. The delicate roller coaster ride on "May" l...eads to the playful and amiable sounds of "Circus." The disc comes to a reflective end with the moody and composed "Occasional Appearance," which begins calmly and eventually closes with a bass-heavy and frantic ending. Most of the songs on Brittle Stars were recorded at Fourhead Studio in 1999. The rest were recorded on four-track in 1998. - Stephen Cramer, All Music Guide Read more Less