Major Stars

It’s been nearly 30 years since East Coast institution Major Stars first set fire to the speakers, and as they arc into their latest album, they show no signs of abating. Still rooted in the riotous joy of their three guitar onslaught, the new record bears the mark of being the first not to be solely driven by the songs of Wayne Rogers. Over the past few years singer Noell Dorsey has become a larger presence and More Colors of Sound boasts the debut of songs that bear the mark of the songwriting team of Dorsey and guitarist Tom Leonard. While the credits tell the tale on the back of the sleeve, in the grooves no one’s the wiser as Dorsey and Leonard’s singe matches Rogers own creosote creations toe to toe. The Stars have long been known for braiding guitar wire works, but as they evolved into their full force over the years their ability to splice searing psychedelics with soaring vocals has become just as heavy a hallmark.

In that regard Dorsey is a formidable force here, often leaning towards ‘70s psych-folk delivery, but never faltering in the face of the band’s psychedelic storm. She bobs among the winds on “Wrapped Up in Circles,” levies grunge grandeur on “Here There & Gone,” and holds to the rigging on “Erasable Time.” The latter showcases the band’s controlled chaos, surely about ready to rip the tape to shreds before the storm ceases and they cool down like late night camp wood smoke on “Like A Siren,” with Dorsey headed back towards Perhacs or Kathy Smith territory. The band doesn’t have a bad mark on their record, but the songwriting shakeup feels like a fresh vision of the band, offering a dynamic dose of ebb and flow that the band’s always hinted at, but embraces full force on More Colors of Sound. 27 years in the band feels like they’re just hitting stride and ready for more.

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