Austen Starr – I Am The Enemy – Album Review – frontiersmusicsrl

Review By Darren McIntyre

Austen Starr is a reluctant Bostonian with a penchant for self – induced misery, a natural contrarian she she was raised in a household where being a musician was the last thing she was encouraged to do. Austen was told to not be or date a musician – she was the first born daughter of two musicians( one of whom got a real job), Austen hates the sound of her own voice and grew up a competative dancer who’s favourite is tap. Austen doesn’t want other people singing her stories so, hypocricy tip, she sang her first full length album as her debut release, Austen drops her new album I Am The Enemy on the 13th February, I am pleased to say that I will be reviewing this monster record today, please sit back, grab a cold one and get ready to be taken on a journey of self discovery from this exciting musician.

Remain Unseen – A thumping bass drum rolls through the intro as a searing guitar riff drops in and lets this rock n roll monster breath as the pounding snare drum punches fill the air as this bad boy kicks in the doors and lets us have it both barrels. The soaring vocals flow effortlessly through the track as a cool, dark, delicious bassline hits us and lets the groove flow, the slick, clean lines are easing through the arrangement as we feel the soulful, melodic vocals breath life into this monster track as we throw our fists in the air and feel the electricity oozing from each musician as this rocker leaves it’s mark. The sweet, mellow guitar licks are throwing melodies all over the place as the thundering groove hits us from all sides as Joel lights up the track with his trademark riffs and soaring licks that tell us that this groover will have us reaching for the repeat button for sure.

Medusa – The track opens with Austen leaning in and giving us her smouldering tones that give the track depth, attitude and bags of swagger as the album begins to take shape as the boys dig deep and bring the beat. The crisp, shredding chords are flowing with ease through the track as the solid snare drum punches control the direction of this fantastic foot stomping number, the full on bassline drops in and hits us with a real raw, edgy tone that fits right into the thread of this pop – rock anthem that just builds and builds as the band instantly gels together and lets Austen do her thing with her soaring vocals. We have something special here as there is depth, rawness and plenty of melodies in the tank as the album builds momentum as we roll onto.

I Am The Enemy – The sweet, melodic vocals open the track as the pounding rhythm section kicks in the doors and lets the tone weave it’s way through the arrangement as the music just grabs us. The shredding guitar licks are wrapping themselves around this fist pumping, meaty groover as we let the music come at us with ease as the track builds and builds as the tone sharpens and really tells it’s own story, the funking bassline is dropping in and really giving us a dark, bruising tone that works so well through this thumping rock n roll bruiser. The soaring vocals are working their magic as Austen really comes into her own and shows us what she is made of for sure, the tracks are sharp, gritty and to the point and really grab our attention.

Read Your Mind – A sweet acoustic pick opens the track as Austen lets her melodic vocals take the track off down the road as we feel the softer side to this rocking star as the melodies really grab us. The piano tones really linger through the arrangement as the tone shifts pace a little as the rhythm section leans in and hits us with a real meaty, soul crushing snare drum beat that lets the track tell it’s own story for sure, the track brings emotion, depth and a story that is woven through the track as we get a real sense of this musician and what she brings to the party. The tempo changes pace several times through the arrangement and that tells us that the songs are built especially from Austen’s thoughts, dreams and how she wants us to really see her, the crisp guitar riffs are adding depth and attitude to the track and this only intensifies the composition.

Get Out Alive – A slick, crisp guitar riff opens the track as the thundering rhythm section kicks off with a deep, bruising bass kick that welcomes snare punches as the mystery deepens from the opening salvo. The addition of the synth keys really elevates the track as we feel the energy pouring from every musician as we get to grips with this debut album, the soaring vocals have tone, melodies and a real soulful feel that fits the arrangement perfectly. The bassline drops in and hits us with a real meaty, full on groove that mixes well with Joel as she shreds quietly before the tempo changes direction and bang off we go, the whole piece is pulling us one way then the next as Austen joins in with a real roaring vocal that lets the boys bring the heat as we tap our feet to the fist pumping rocker that brings energy, swagger and bags of juice that really lets Austen tell her own story.

Effigy – The thundering rhythm section kicks in the doors and lets this bad boy off the leash as we get a foot stomping, fist pumping groove that just puts a smile on your face for sure. The soaring, melodic vocals are just building as the boys wrap their musicality around this slab of rock n roll that is building with every track as we are getting every emotion from this fantastic musician, the snare drum punches are hitting us from all sides as the boys shift through the gears and let us have it both barrels. The tempo changes pace as the synth keys flow effortlessly through the arrangement as the groove throws out all sorts of tones that let Joel let rip with a real crisp, rasping guitar salvo that just gives the track energy, depth and plenty of face melting licks that just come at us from all sides.

Running Out Of Time – A real punk enfused opening that has us all worked up as Austen leans in and lets us have it with all she has as the textures flow through the intro. The shredding guitar licks are just building as this kick ass track grabs our attention as the snare drum punches let the rhythm section control the direction of this killer track, the funking bassline is coming through and really letting the textures and tones leave their mark. The keys are weaving their way through the track as Joel steps up and offloads with a slick, crisp, melodic solo that catches our attention as the band come together and really let their inner animal come out as we feel the energy grab us and not let go.

All Alone – A crunching, melodic guitar riff opens the track as the thundering rhythm section leans in and hits us with a real solid snare / bass combo to let the groove flow from this soaring beast. Austen lets her smouldering, mellow, rocker style vocals lead the charge in this fantastic feel good arrangement that just builds and builds as the boys take us on the journey with them, we get a real rasping, gritty guitar lick that works well with the rhythm section as they combine to really blow the roof off of the studio with their killer musicianship. The full on bassline is coming through and hitting us with a real energy zapping groove to really wet our whistles as this killer album rolls on.

Not This Life – A fast, furious riff erupts from the get go as the pounding rhythm section kicks in the doors and lets this rousing beast rear it’s head as the foot stomping groove wraps itself around us. The slick, crisp musicianship shines through as Austen brings her girl next door tone as the vocals really give the track a real edgy, funky, punk – esque feel, the snare drum punches are filling the air as we get to grips with this awesome banger as Joel leads the way with his incredible playing that just seals the deal. The full on bassline drops in and really gives the track depth with it’s funk laden groove- tastic tones as we reach for the sky with our fist pumps as this rousing monster carries us through till the end.

The Light – The track brings us another ballad – esque style intro as the snare drum taps let the groove build as the punchy bass kicks really give the track depth as Austen lets her soaring, melodic tones weave their way through the track. We are hurtling towards the business end of the album and I can tell you this young lady is destined for great things as she really brings a maturity to this record that just catches your attention, the bassline drops in with a real full on, funky, mellow groove that wraps itself around the track and lets us feel the tone, texture ooze from every musician as the haunting, mellow guitar licks flow ferrly through the composition and really capture our imagination as we allow ourselves to be taken on the soul searching journey of this incredibly gifted musician as she really lets her feeling be known to us. The soulful control of the vocals are just incredible as the cool, mellow keys bring a certain mellow groove to the track.

Until I See You Again – We finish off the album with a real funky, crisp guitar intro as Austen leans in and lets her soaring vocals lead the charge in this fist pumping bruiser that just puts a smile on your face. The punchy rhythm section is commanding the groove as the snare drum beats give the track body and texture as the boys shift through the gears and finish off in style, the pounding bass kicks are really letting this track breath as the cool, mellow keys run effortlessly through the composition as the tempo breaks to let the funk element run freely through the mid section. We get the sense that this young lady knows what she wants and I think the musicians have captured exactly how she wanted the flow of the record progress, we have a funky, fresh bassline dropping in and giving us a real tone that fits the arrangement perfectly as Joel leans in and delivers a crisp guitar riff that wanders freely through the track and is the perfect way to finish a real gutsy, feisty, rock n roll groove laden record.

Austen Starr is destined for big things and this album will certainly get her on the road to where she needs to be, watch this space for what is to become of this exciting talent.

Austen Starr –

Austen Starr – Vocals

Joel Hoekstra – Guitars

Chris Collier – Bass / Drums

Steve Farlazzo – Keys

Chloe Lowery – Backing Vocals

Track Listing –

Remain Unseen

Medusa

I Am The Enemy

Read Your Mind

Get Out Alive