Starflyer 59- Leave Here A Stranger

Starflyer 59, a band that survived the death of fuzz pop in the mid/late 90s and bounced back with something even greater. Their last two full lengths, 'The Fashion Focus' and 'Everybody Makes Mistakes', took a quite strange turn from the distorted guitars their fans were used to, with a new style that can olny be described as pure genius. With a new line-up of members they released their sixth full length album, 'Leave Here A Stranger'.
They continued with their pop/rock expiramentation but seem to make it more enjoyable. The thing that stands out over everything is Jason Martin's (Guitarist, vocalist, and long-time leadman of the band) guitar work. He is easily one of the greatest assests that Christian music has at the moment. Not that his band is anything to laugh at, they are all extremely talented musicians. Each song is crafted with a certain something no one else can pull off and make sound good.
Another thing I find amazing about the band (I know this has been more of a band review than an album review, I apologize) is how they have changed with the times. Their first self-titled release came in the year 1994, it was Tooth and Nail Record's thrid release. Since this, the band has slowly progressed with their music, never really keeping a set genre to themselves. They are just about the only Tooth and Nail artist that came before their golden age that still exists musically and under the label.
'Leave Here A Stranger' is an album for people who are tired of hearing that radio rock and want a great mellow alternative album. Each song on it has a different feel, yet all are so easy to love. It reaches to a wide variety of listeners, it is not held down by it's shoegazer stereotype. Simply put, this is the reason God allowed the band to be formed...

Overall score: 10

>>Chris