Classic Album Review: Pell Mell - Star City

Pell Mell - Star City

Release Date: October 21, 1997

Matador Records

Ah, Pell Mell. Whenever someone suggests throwing some Pell Mell on the stereo I can't say "No", especially when it is their 1997 masterpiece Star City. Silky, creamy, and tasty are only a few of the words I can use to describe the final album from this seminal band. The Pell Mell sound was perfected in Star City and it is anyone's guess how the next album would have sounded. With precision and undoubted creativity, Bob Beerman, Steve Fisk, Greg Freeman, and David Spalding crafted one of the finest instrumental rock albums ever recorded.

Star City makes no apologies for being a laid back chillfest, which is apparent from Track 1, "Sky Lobby", a spacey musak opener which is basically Brian Eno's airport album condensed into a palatable 4 minutes. "Salvo" has you exiting the lobby and exploring the fun and exciting world of Star City. "Orange Roughy" is a personal favorite. With a mellow riff, a creamy guitar compression, and weird tape distortion, this is the song that you should introduce your friends to Pell Mell with. Also, the "Orange Roughy" bells kicks Pink Floyd's bell's ass. 

"Interloper" closes out the first quarter of the album with an accessible driving jam. "Smokehouse" begins the section of Star City where things take a turn for the dark. Another personal favorite, "On Approach" is the quiet, hypnotic, centerpiece to Star City. As I've said before, I love "Zone Out" music and this is a prime example of what I mean. Not to be outdone is "Upstairs" a short, drumless, guitar piece that compliments prior and forthcoming songs.

But once you think it's time to fall asleep, "In Polka Dots" wakes you back up and ushers in the third quarter of Star City. All the tracks in this part of the album are a little more fun. "Everything Must Go"'s repetitive riff and the odd sound of simultaneous guitars makes this track one of the most playful of the 14. "Lowlight" is a more upbeat "Upstairs" style song, but with drums, and "Headset" is another excellent driving track that will have your head bobbing to the beat and the "wish-wosh" effect.

The album closes with three distinct songs. "Field of Poppies" is a wedding song. This is by far the brightest song on the album. How out-of-place it sounds is quickly shadowed by its beauty. Your girlfriend will like this song. "Gelatin" is as dark as Star City gets. Another out-of-place song defined by it's distinct kick drum. This song would sound great on an earthlings? record, but is a curve ball for this album. Star City closes out on a somber note with "Coral". The most depressing part of this song is knowing the album, and the band, are over.

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There is not a single on Star City and there is not a single bad song on Star City. It's one of those albums I can keep coming back to over and over again. You can throw around words like "Timeless" and "Epic" but the term "Perfect" does Star City proper justice. Unfortunately, your kids will never hear about Pell Mell when they are watching a VH1 "Music of the 90's" special. So it is up to you to spread the good word (or lack thereof) of Pell Mell and Star City around. On a scale from "Loves It" to "Not so Much" "I Love Star City" 

1. Sky Lobby (3:52)
2. Salvo (2:59)
3. Orange Roughy (2:57)
4. Interloper (3:39)
5. Smokehouse (2:59)
6. On Approach (2:57)
7. Upstairs (3:30)
8. In Polka Dots (3:16)
9. Everything Must Go (3:04)
10. Lowlight (3:53)
11. Headset (4:00)
12. Field of Poppies (2:38)
13. Gelatin (2:54)
14. Coral (3:44)

Length - 46:22

http://www.pellmell.org/