Track by tracking
Red Stars Theory’s
But Sleep Came Slowly
Rx Remedy, 1997
4, 7, 19
I first became aware of Red Stars Theory back in ‘13, when I was steadily diving deep into last.fm’s Similar Artists rabbit holes. Their album covers were what initially drew me in, and in a short time, their music would solidify my love for their (sadly) short discography. Their sophomore record, titled Life In a Bubble Can Be Beautiful, was in heavy rotation around that time. And although thinking back to those years brings fond nostalgia, I admittedly didn’t give much attention to their label debut, released two years earlier before their second. It’s sad to think that it took me six years to fully appreciate this masterpiece.
Preferring this record to their second is assumedly blasphemous, from the looks of the constant praise it’s predecessor receives still to this day. (Also note how iTunes and streaming services have most, if not all, of their Singles and EPs, and this record is nowhere to be seen. I had to purchase the physical copy from Sub Pop’s Marketplace to finally get a decent sounding recording of the album on my phone, and that’s just disrespectful.) Its sound and style isn’t too drastically different from their material onward, and some have argued that its “less musically adventurous” approach to their sound and style makes it a low point. If you ask me though, this record perfects the long practiced and huge combination of post hardcore and post rock. The longer tracks emulate the hypnotic and epic heights of Godspeed You! Black Emperor in their early years, and their emotionally driven and explosive shorter cuts take the best pages from the books of the early pioneers of emo.
Track One,
Heavyweight January
A beautifully delicate and driven opener to this album. The swirling violins mixed with the soft yet loud lead guitars set a serene landscape for the soft spoken vocals that glide through the backing tracks crevices. The emotional heights of the booming chorus section are a great foreshadow for the rest of the track list. It’s really nice to drive down your friends old neighborhoods and hangouts with this on.
Track Two,
I Thought About You
A simultaneously hopeful and depressed jam of swaying guitars and strings. The consistent mellow mood with moments of emotional clarity peppered throughout this longer track makes it incredibly easy to get lost in. Coupled with the single line of lyrics that rise from the fog on the back half of the piece that are followed by a gorgeous climax, shows that this track is a great example of their masterful songwriting.
Track Three,
Perfection Is
A great entry into the infrequent practice of experimental/progressive post hardcore. The beginning verses come off casual and calculated, only to then morph into a cacophonous dark prog. bridge that employs shouted confessions over a looming and large folly of guitar feedback and never ending cymbal crashes. The chorus juxtaposes these sections perfectly, with a low tide tumble of plucked melodies and a retreated statement of love. One of the genres most valuable hidden jewels.
Track Four,
Becomes for the Kind
Scenic post rock with psychedelic undercurrents. The lead guitars and ascending drum patterns transport you to a cross country like trip that consistently evolves and shines. The second half of the track begins to involve xylophones and sirens in a misty smother that slowly begins to drown and distort the back instruments, making the end of your trip hazy and brilliantly weird.
Track Five,
Nitetime Memories of the Coastline
A hand-in-hand stroll through a strangers memory lane that grips and nuzzles into the romantic everydays of lost teenagers on shorelines. The lyrics list out fragments of images, feelings and friends that come forward scatterbrained, yet not incomplete. They’re softly sung overtop beautifully sad violins and straddling guitar chords with a scarce yet powerful back beat. The second main section of the track dips below the murky waters to find a despairing undertow of breezy and elegant strings and long winded guitar strums that bring a dose of reality to the daydream right before it. One of the best works, period.
Track Six,
Broken Neck
A tried and true emo masterwork. The opening melodies bring melancholy and looming darkness to the strained lead vocals that tell a story of red flags and concerned conversations that hold you on its every word. These sections eventually explode into a sunset colored roar of guitars and high notes that shout to the heavens, leaving you in awe of its sheer weight. It’s followed by an rising action instrumental section with a fast paced second climax that heroically tightens the tie up of the track, which in all leaves the listener feeling as if they’ve witnessed a fight between star crossed lovers with nothing but damage left in its wake. A musical triumph.
Track Seven,
Thick with the Paint Swaying
The long and winding closing number that builds higher and higher until it reaches the stratosphere. Again, the band flexes their post rock expertises with drifting guitar melodies and gorgeous singing from frequent collaborator Lois Maffeo. The drums become the growing backbone for the piece in the second half once the softer first half fades out into the ever evolving landscape, leading the rising guitar chords upwards and outwards. The minute you feel like you’ve settled into the fast paced rhythms, you’re dropped into a cloudy headspace of free flowing chimes and strums, only to then become suddenly shocked by a lightning strike of blasted guitars and a louder-than-hell drum freak out. The album ends with everything crashing to the ground from enormous heights, akin to the sound of a Red Giant somewhere in another galaxy dying and falling in on its self, leaving a deafening silence in its aftermath. Truly the only proper way to finish out this incredible record.
(You should be able to find this whole album on YouTube. If not, there’s still physical copies available online!)
