Stars In Toledo - Stars In Toledo

Stars In Toledo

​Stars In Toledo
self-released; 2018

​3.7 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Stars in Toledo is a rock band with members from different backgrounds that came together to release their self-titled album Stars in Toledo. I was looking at their album cover and I have to say I’ve gotten pretty good at figuring out what type of music a band plays just by the artwork. In this case I felt like I was pretty on the nose. I was thinking ’80s influenced rock that also likes to delve into ’70s classic rock.

​The band plays no frills rock songs that in my opinion are best experienced live but an album is the next best thing. I can’t say it’s the most original music I have heard this year but I can always appreciate a talented band revisiting some of the tropes of rock that will get people out of their seat.

The band opens with “Take it to the Breakdown.” This song felt like a juiced up Led Zeppelin song mixed with The Black Crowes. They integrate blues rock with a touch of funk. The song is a high energy blast. They display some pretty incredible technical skills on this song.

“Hold On Yesterday” mixes in Americana with that ’80s vibe I was referring to. I think the vocalist reminded me of the singers from the decade that brought us slap bracelets and He-Man. “Mavericks” had a more straight ’80s metal vibe especially when it came to the guitar solo.

I felt like the next couple of songs were pretty straightforward. “Be Your Man’ is the first song  that was a ballad. The song brought me back to my eighth grade dance. Can you figure out what “RnR 24 7 365”means? I think you can. At any rate I loved the David Lee Roth inspired beginning to this song. There aren't any surprises as the album progressed. That being said the song were diverse enough while sticking to their foundation. I liked the vocal effect filter that was implemented on the last track “A Peek Behind The Curtain.”

Overall, Stars in Toledo created an album that I think rock fans (especially purists) will enjoy. Take a listen.

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