Starsick System
Daydreamin'

Daydreamin’, that is probably the story of my life, but also the title of Italian band Starsick System’s first album. But don’t think this is a group of newbies that take to the stages; Startsick System is a band that was formed in 2012 by experienced Italian musicians. Take for instance a singer that has been heard in the great band Eden’s Curse, the CV of the others aren’t shabby either. But let us just say that they have the experience and skill, but not really a sense of style considering how dreary the cover looks. Still, it is what is behind the cover that matters and according to reviewers around the web it is supposed to be a very good album. At least according to them but what about a critic? I have given the album several spins now and here’s what I have found:

They arrive all guns blazing with hardrock full of energy and power, great vocals and a catchy feel to it. It is amongst the lines of the traditional hardrock but still sounds quite fresh and modern, the production is excellent with a sound that is a little rough while still remaining very melodic and catchy. Powerful riffs! I think that they also avoid falling into the trap of going cliché which is good; they actually manage to create music that sounds relevant from a genre that more often than not is completely irrelevant. They are just dirty enough in the corners, they have great vocals with both melody and edginess and the choruses are powerful and catchy enough to grab the listener – kind of like you want them to be. It is just impossible to claim that this wouldn’t be a quality production.

Many arguments I use to lower ratings are somewhat viable when reviewing this album as well, they are not really breaking new ground for instance, and stylistically it is no different from what we have heard before within this genre. Thing is though that you can still make fresh sounding music without breaking any new ground and that is what they do – but of course the highest rating is lost as you cannot reach that position without originality. But they do take something very familiar and freshen it up to something more in line with what anyone could want today, so they manage to be familiar without sounding nostalgic or dated – that is a great thing to pull off. I think that they make an album that is easy to take to and easy to like immediately while still lasting for many repeat plays, it is an album I really like and one of the finer Italian hardrock albums I have heard in a while – that is good praise considering that Italians are really good at the traditional hardrock music..

I think that this is a great album and one that you should have a look at. If you do, you might have the same trouble as myself to pick out a favourite track as they are all great. Although I think that today I will have to appoint the track called Tomorrow the favourite but come to think of it, that may not be true tomorrow as this opinion shifts for each time I hear the great tracks of this album. An album that is perfect for the daydreamer, so if you are one of those there is no need to hesitate, just get the album and the same goes for the rest of you – this album is enjoyable.

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