"Despite being only a five-song E.P., Starflyer 59's "Fell In Love at 22" is a brilliant 26-minutes worth of music. Released in 1998 shortly after the full-length album "The Fashion Focus", "Fell In Love at 22" is Starflyer at their most laid-back and for lack of a better word, their most 'ambient'.
The E.P.'s title track also appears on "The Fashion Focus" album and is a beautiful love ballad. "We Want It Bad" is another ballad with a slightly moodier vibe to it. "E.P. Nights" sounds like a mid-80's alternative rock piece in the style of The Cure or Joy Division (especially with the haunting keyboard lines).
The centerpiece of the whole E.P. is the instrumental "Traffic Jam". At 14-minutes, it is still the longest piece of music recorded by Starflyer. The guitar vibrato and slow-paced rhythm gives the music a lazy surf-pop vibe which makes this piece ideal for long drives along the beach. The additional traffic sounds further enhance the overall mood.
After this epic, comes the beautiful laid back closing piece "Samson" with more surf-guitar and soft vocals. Definitely a tender closer.
Despite this E.P. being out-of-print and being rather difficult to find, "Fell In Love at 22" is worth searching out as it includes some of Starflyer 59's most intriguing music. So, if you don't own it yet, now's the time to.
"This is another brillant release from the musical genius of Jason Martin and his Starflyer 59 machine. All the tracks are great from "Fell in Love at 22" to "Sampson" and the melodic "These are the nights". Starflyer proves again that it is lightyears ahead of the music industry with it's trance and dream-like vocals plus hypnotic instrumentals. If you have never heard of Starflyer 59, then it's time you listen to this brillant release."
Superb for anyone who enjoys quality music
Louie Bourland | 05/23/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Starfyler 59 has created a great little snack for fans and those who have always been afraid to spend $15 on a band that they were not sure of. YOU CANNOT GO wrong with this album. The great thing about this little Ep is that all the songs have a slightly different flavor and you wont find your self only listening to one or two songs over and over, but the whole thing over and over and over...."
"Starflyer does it again by putting out this album with (seemingly) outtakes from "The Fashion Focus" The album starts off inconspicously enough with "Fell in Love at 22", a somber prom-night ballad that is an SF trademark. Things kick up a little, but not much with "We Got it Bad", a slow, contemplative ballad with a little twang guitar. Finally, here comes "EP Nights",one of the best songs i've ever heard. It starts out with a minimalistic approach, then explodes in the chorus with guitar,keyboard, and orchestra. The last two tracks are nothing special, but they are gems in their own right. Bottom line? This is a great disc...for anyone who's ever been broken hearted...."
Starflyer Rules
Jonathon (fuzzbox51@hotmail.com) | 02/28/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have only heard two of the songs on this Ep but they are both very,very good!!! Of every SF59 release that I have heard I think they are all good. If you are into heavy, progressive guitars, with soft,smoothing, yer rawking vocals. Then I would recomend that you pick up any of SF59's releases. Jonathan"