Philip Stevenson's Starlessis a dramatic old time sounding record that's been wondering around the Hammond B3 Organ factory for quite a while. This bluesy, rock and roll collective cranks out songs that seem like they've had too much drink and smoked about a carton of Camel cigarettes. This is hard drinking, hard living, hard as nails rock and roll and you can't help but wonder if the body floating on the cover of this record is some member of the band after a night on the town.
Harnessing the bands inner blues and lacing it with some deep down southern soul, Philip and his troupe of musicians plough their way through what should be a David Lynch soundtrack. Saxophones roar, organs buzz, guitars slash, and drums pound as Philip drawls and staggers his way through each of the songs on Starless. It's heady, rich stuff that at times sounds like it could be the American version of Tindersticks while at others sounds as it's spent to much time trawling through the streets of Memphis and New Orleans. This is a dangerous record that's likely to give you a contact high from it sheer songsmithery and potency.
Starless is the sort of record that would make Lou Reed and Elvis Costello want to hang out with Philip and have a few shots or ten. When this guy sings about Deuteronomy you can't help think that you've just had a religious experience and when he steam-rolls all over you with, "I'm a Boy," you can't help but think deep down Philip Stevenson is only 15...with a voice of an alcoholic. Starless is highly engrossing stuff that is the sound of the best night in you've ever had. This is a gritty, bluesy, soulful, record filled to the rim with rock and roll spirit; in other words it's fantastic.
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