Stars Like Ours. Stars Like Ours

The cover art tells it all, let's light this up and go. "Full speed ahead, Mr. Sulu". Stars Like Ours takes no prisoners here. It's self-titled album is an energy source all by itself.

I had never heard of the band before but the voice sounded somewhat familiar. With Michelle Paulhus as a singer that is not a surprise, as I've come across her on several recently released albums. In the 1990s Boston was filled with great alternative rock bands of which several take up some space in my living room, where my collection rests. Stars Like Ours, Michelle Paulhus (bass, lead vocals), Kristin Holliday (guitar, backing vocals) and Eric Edmonston (drums, backing vocals), decided it was time to recreate some of that action.

The result is a record filled with great and loud guitar playing and drumming. Not for the sake of being loud, no, for getting some great rock songs across. Start Like Ours is filled with them. Nine in total, rocking this album from the very first to the last second. This band knows how to write and arrange a good rock song.

With Michelle Paulhus it has singer with the right touch of roughness and sweetness. She has a little of both in her voice, like Debby Harry has but to me there's absolutely no doubt who is the better singer. Paulhus can lay so much more melody and expression in her singing, resulting in a varied listening experience. All without having to strain her voice for one second. Michelle Paulhus is a great feature of Stars Like Ours.

Kristin Holliday is a new name to me but I should have paid better attention to her other band, The Downhauls, recently on this blog. Her playing brings loads of power to the album. Full strumming, power chords, short fiery solo's, she has it all.

Behind the three sits Eric Edmonston, also the co-producer of the album. He's literally pounding away on his drums. The songs are propelled forward no little by his drumming. He's a power drummer alright in the 90s tradition. Remember Therapy? for example. That tough, dry drumming sound. Edmonston has it down alright.

So, am I hearing something new? Not where the sound and approach is concerned. Certainly where the songs and the enthusiasm is concerned. If there's an audience for 90s alternative rock bands from Boston in 2022, that audience better start paying attention. Stars Like Ours is the real thing in this decade.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order Stars Like Ours here:

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/stars-like-ours