“Rock is dead”. “Nobody buys physical products anymore”. “Nobody’s interested in new music”. We have all heard this bullshit a lot in the last decade. Too often. Well, I say: really? Is that why Rock festivals holds the biggest draw of all festivals and Rock bands keep touring to great attendance? Is that why record-companies keep releasing both CD and vinyl? Is that why old bands keep releasing new records? Is that why record companies still signing new acts? Because nobody gives a shit? Well, I beg to differ. Frontiers is a record-company that has taken a lot of crap for releasing too many all-star projects records but too few hails them for keep finding new artists to their stable. I say kudos to them for doing so. And speaking of which, here comes another new signing from that record-company: Stardust.
Stardust is a five-piece act from Hungary – I don’t think I have ever heard of a Hungarian Hard Rock band before, at least what I know of – that works in the territories around Melodic Rock and AOR with the 80’s as the decade in focus. Nothing new under the sun there, then. The band was formed back in 2015 by vocalist Adam Stewart and drummer Tim Keeley who were followed by lead guitarist Facey, bassist Ben Martin and keyboard player Dave Legrand and a year later the band released their debut E.P. Said record didn’t exactly set the world on fire but the few fans that noticed it gave it good feedback and Frontiers saw potential in the band and signed them. With some song-writing assistance from people like Mike Spiro, who has had a hand in the song writing for bands like House Of Lords, Bad English and Giant and Swedish guitarist/producer/song writer Tommy Denander, the band now has released their debut full-length album.
The album kicks off with the latest single “Runaway”. It’s a poppy yet driven rocker with the guitar at the front with only the occasional keyboard visiting. The somewhat dramatic sci-fi sounds of the intro brings on some different dynamics to the song but this quite riffy, Journey influenced rocker doesn’t hold that much originality. However, the chorus is hook-laden and very catchy and it is a really good song. Speaking of originality, there should be a law against using the title “Runaway” again for at least 10 years. “Heartbreaker”, a Pat Benatar cover, follows next. This one is effectively darker with a heavier musical approach replacing the 80’s arrangements but it also holds AOR melodies and symphonic keyboards and the contrasts really work. It’s an upbeat, straight-forward rocker with another very catchy refrain that sticks right away. This is good stuff and they really made it their own.
“Bullet To My Heart” opens with a groovy, chunky bass-line and the verse that follows takes on a more stripped outlook, dominated by bass, drums and keyboard before the crunchy and edgy guitars comes in. There are some grittier guitars waved in which brings on a Classic Hard Rock vibe to the otherwise very 80’s pop-AOR-rock and the Steve Perry like vocals. The big refrain is also a sticker with lots of catchiness, making the song stick right from hello. I dig this. If you’re into the 80’s you need a power ballad, of course and “Perfect Obsession” is Stardust’s “I Remember You” (Skid Row). Everything’s onboard – acoustic guitars, keyboards, smooth melodies, an even slicker vocal-arrangement, pop influences and a ballad-groove. The feel is pure 1989 and the chorus is contagious – and then some. Thing is, it might not be the most original song in the world but I’m really into it anyway.
Leading single (well, it’s actually not but we’ll get to that later) “2nd Hand Love” starts out slow and stripped on a mellow note with some acoustic guitars but when the band comes in, the song goes into mid-paced tempo with some really prominent Def Leppard vibes and a big 80’s feel. It’s quite glossy and hook-laden and mixes the Leppard vibes up with Scandi-AOR arrangements, some Bryan Adams influences and 80’s chart-pop. I like the song but the pre-chorus is stronger than the actual refrain. The real leading single is “Shout It Out” – or is it? Released two years ago, it could as easily have been a single from the E.P. as the song was on that as well. It’s a more Hard Rock driven affair albeit with a big Melodic Rock outlook – straight forward, upbeat and crunchy with a tougher rhythm and some edgy guitar sounds and a repetitive Arena Rock chorus with a hook that hits hard on the brain no matter whether you like it or not, borrowed from Bon Jovi’s 7800 Fahrenheit days. I didn’t really dig it at first but it grew on me pretty fast.
“Can’t Stop Loving You” (another song with an over-used title) is a slick half-ballad that holds a massive Def Leppard complex – it actually borders to plagiarism – and I’m sure songs like “Hysteria” and “Stand Up (Kick Love Into Motion)” lies as a template for this one. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t like it – because I do. This is AOR deluxe complete with smooth melodies, a silky vocal-arrangement and a fair bunch of “whoa whoa” to chant along to. The chorus is distinct, grandiose and catchy as hell, throwing out some brilliant vocal harmonies. “Eye To Eye” takes a step outside AOR and into Classic Rock with a grittier guitar sound, a Hard Rock swagger and a more organic live-sound. It’s a meaty rocker but it also sports some more Steve perry like vocals, a Melodic Rock vocal-melody, pompy keys and a spot-on refrain. Good stuff.
“Hey Mother” lingers the uptempo pace with a juicy AOR-rock swing and lands somewhere between Bon Jovi’s debut album and early Aldo Nova. Add some staccato Steve Lukather borrowed guitar-lines with some fine crisp, a bit of Survivor and some 80’s sounding keys and this tune could have been on the Top Gun soundtrack, had it been released back in the glory days. Do I even have to point out that the chorus sticks like glue? Well, it does. Great tune. Also taken from the 2016 E.P, here rerecorded as a bonus track, “Blue Jeans Eyes” is a pop-song put in AOR clothing, very big on the keyboards and a more laid-back outlook. The tune catches on right off the bat with its infectious chorus and effective melodies and why this song is a bonus track is beyond me – this is a god damn single! Very good.
They close the album with a mid-paced AOR-rocker called “The River Is Rollin'” and again the band makes no fuss about their love for Def Leppard – the Sheffield five-piece is all over this track. The song holds a sullen atmosphere but is also quite uplifting with some slick keyboards and clean guitars which takes a more rowdy and crunchy turn when the magnificent solo comes in, all of which blends fine with the bluesier main riff. The whole outlook of the song is somewhat softer, it’s even knocking on ballad’s door. Strong melodies all over and a majestic refrain with shitloads of hooks takes this tune on a home-run. A great song and a killer closing track.
All in all, everything from the song writing to production to musical performances are very competent and the whole product sounds very professional with very little to complain about. Except for one little thing – nothing here is especially personal and the band lacks identity. I have no issues with wearing your influences on your sleeves as long as you write great songs – and sport an identity. Stardust writes good songs, many of them are actually great but when those songs really could be any AOR/Melodic Rock band out there, I find it hard to go FUCK YEAH! on the record. Does this mean that the album is up for a slagging? No way, it’s way too good for that. I really enjoy listening to this record and I will continue to do so but the high score will have to wait until some originality is brought in. The potential is enormous, though!
6/10
Tracklist:
1. Runaway
2. Heartbreaker
3. Bullet To My Heart
4. Perfect Obsession
5. 2nd Hand Love
6. Shout It Out
7. Can’t Stop Loving You
8. Eye To Eye
9. Hey Mother
10. Blue Jeans Eyes (bonus track)
11. The River Is Rollin’
CD & Festival reviews 