Sunday, October 29, 2023

Stars Like Ours - Better Every Day


One of my musical "Wow!" moments of last year was hearing the Stars Like Ours CD released by Rum Bar Records. Essentially a compilation of singles and EPs released between 2015 and 2018, this album was such an on-the-nose throwback to early '90s left of the dial alternative rock that it gave me chills. And of course the players involved (Michelle Paulhus, Kristin Holliday, and Rice Edmonston) are all fixtures of Boston's world class indie/punk scene. Back with a new EP on Rum Bar, Stars Like Ours sound like even better version of their 2010s selves. Better Every Day again kicks up those throwback vibes, but the band sounds tighter and more powerful than ever and benefits from big-time production. When you think of a power trio, this is what it ought to sound like. The guitars, drums, and bass all shine, and these songs truly put the rock in indie rock. The band's '90s inspirations have always been obvious, but it has never been fully about that. First and foremost, this band is about killer tunes. And Better Every Day is full of 'em — always leaving me wanting more no matter how many times I spin the disc. "What's Going Wrong" is the band's best song to date, and there's little drop-off from there. Somehow this band manages to transport me back to 1993 while still adding a contemporary twist to their classic alt-pop sound. On a Rum Bar roster loaded with incredible talent, Stars Like Ours have cemented their place on the top shelf.

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