Red Stars Theory
Life Inside A Bubble Can Be Beautiful
(1999, Touch & Go)
10.0/10
Sharing Modest Mouses' drummer and led by 764-Hero's bassist Red Stars Theory could be labeled a super group of sorts, but this album goes beyond the usual superstar musician studio work that is slapped together. Red Stars Theory is a cohesive, singularly minded band and Life Inside A Bubble Can Be Beautiful is their magnum opus. Recorded during a high point for post rock and slowcore, Red Stars Theory's debut is a high water mark for the genres. With gritty bass, discordant guitars (ala Sonic Youth), inventive drumming, and beautiful string accompaniments, Life Inside A Bubble Can Be Beautiful drifts into your subconscious like a hazy dream, hitting pleasure spots repeatedly along the way. Spanning 7 songs for over 40 minutes, this album used to constitute what I thought was the perfect length/number of songs. Listening to it again just reinforces that idea. James Bertram's fog obscured vocals penetrate perfectly on the songs in which they are featured while the instrumental tracks help tie the album together perfectly. "Sailor's Warning" features previous vocal contributor, Lois Maffeo, back to impose her haunting voice as well as adding a ghostly feature to the album. Each track fits like bricks in an immaculate wall of sound. The tempo may be strained but Life Inside A Bubble Can Be Beautiful is still one of the most exciting albums in my record collection.
Mr. Thistle
Red Stars Theory - "Combinations and Complications"
No comments:
Post a Comment