ok, i think this is kind of a first here, look you see. well, no, me revisiting some form of art is not all that new or surprising, but perhaps redoing (or revising) a review is. a little while ago i gone done a blog post on the second album off of the (mostly) magnificent KillerStar, with that album being The Afterglow. my take on it, if you aren't too keen on clicking the link the original post, was (sadly) not that great. for the most part this was down to the rather Spinal Tap like matter of the tracks appearing on the tape (disc) in an entirely different (random, if you will) order than was indicated as being intended.
since then, as i shall go into (perhaps flagrantly show off) later (rather than earlier), i have taken custodianship of a proper copy. as in a compact disc with the songs played in the order the band clearly had every intention of them being heard.
from what i recall of it (i really can't manage to read my own writing) my initial review oozed disappointment, quite possibly to the level of being "a bit harsh". perhaps i was not in the right frame of mind, but mostly it was pure frustration that a band who are clearly passionate about delivering the best they can allowing just a big error to come out in their name. tried as i could with what i had i just couldn't get into it, the whole album just felt disjointed.
exactly why hearing albums as the artists (artistes?) responsible for their creation intended is most apparent here. a confession would be that i did not rush to play this as soon as it landed, recalling my experiences with the initial copy, but now that i have done it is on totes heavy rotation on my stereo. no comparing bands or musicians, but there is a reason Pink Floyd blocked a certain company selling individual tracks of theirs, there was a reason Prince released Lovesexy on CD as one continuous track.
how did i come to get a replacement (proper) copy of the album? well, one afternoon, on returning from verk, i found a clearly tape (disc) shaped package waiting for me in the post. nothing out of the ordinary there, really, except in this instance i paused and went "hang on", for i had not actually ordered anything for a while. it was, then, with great interest i opened the package and found this.
indeed i was pleasantly surprised, shocked even, and had an "oh wow" sense. on facebook they did mention that they were getting the release corrected, but i had no expectations at all that another copy would be sent out. so yes, i did feel rather sheepish about some of my initial feelings. but, not overtly or overwhelmingly so, for i could only go on what i had to listen to.
the songs are now in an order which not so much "makes sense" (although they do) as much as they have a greater, natural flow to them. again, i am a music fan, not an expert, so i don't know all the proper (or correct) terminology. my best shot at it for you is this all has a "rhythmic", or "melodic" flow, with the sequence of songs being a full tilt free flowing excellent experience.
one thing i am not changing, mind, is my take on the lyrics. yeah, this could be a "me" thing, but as much as i love getting my groove on to quality vibes, it has always been the lyrics to a song which get the hooks into me. mostly here the lyrics all seem to be "because they fit" ones, rather than some burning wish to express something in particular. i have never bought into all that (and i think it was possibly Clapton that said this) "lyrics are only there for the bits i can't say with a guitar" thing. no real cringe or awful clangers on the lyric front, mind, it's just that they don't "speak to me" or strike something within. at least not like the first album did.
your point of departure from here is the official KillerStar website. from there you can hear the tunes, buy the records and find out when and where you can see them. in respect of the latter, as far as i know they are playing Liverpool's Cavern Club in November (2026) and of course doing their usual residency at the 100 Club in March (2027). sadly i don't think my medical exploits (well documented across this blog) leave me in a frame of mind to go and see them again. wow, though, what a truly brilliant night it was when i did get chance to see them.
sure, i know i have said this a few times over the last few years, but here it is again - go on, give KillerStar a try. embrace a band that shows you can in this day and age still produce high quality, very decent rock.
be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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