998 Belly - Star (1993)

998 Belly - Star (1993)


Studio album - Alternative Rock




About the Act:

Belly were an Alternative Rock band from Rhode Island, USA, and from 1991-96 (and currently active since 2016). Their singer and driving force Tanya Donelly was previously in Throwing Muses and The Breeders. They had two albums in their first stint and have recently released a third studio album.

About the Album:

This was the first studio album by the band, it was nominated for a Grammy.

My History with this Album:

None

Review:

Well I had not heard this album before and had no preconceptions so it was truly a fresh listen. The music is really simply realised, mostly with just drums, bass and electric guitar, giving a stripped back sound. Musically it's quite loose and open, with quite a laid-back approach. Some of the chord structures are unusual, which add to the ethereal feel. However, the real focal point here is Tanya Donelly's vocals which are waif-like and definitely need to have the word ethereal used again. She's like an American fairy in a gilded cage singing wistfully about... well the lyrics are also often quite vague and spacey.  I was trying to work out who the vocals remind me of, and it is Sinead O'Connor, but more breathy. The vocals are sometimes overlaid, and mostly reverbed to make them feel distant. The overall effect is floaty, atmospheric, melancholic and actually quite effective. This will only mean something to a few people, but they sound like prime candidates to play at The Bronze in Buffy the Vampire slayer (and in fact one of Tanya's other bands, The Breeders, did so).

It's competent and effective, and I enjoyed listening to it. I probably won't rush out and buy it, but I would listen to it again.

7/10



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