Daystar: “The Complete Recordings” (2019) CD Review

Daystar delivers rock and pop numbers that have something of a classic feel, songs with excellent harmonies. Based in Portland, this group is made up of Derek Phillips on vocals, rhythm guitar, Mellotron and keys; Joel Roth on guitar and percussion; Nick Foltz on drums, percussion, piano and backing vocals; and Kelly Simmons on bass, cello and backing vocals. The band’s 2019 release, The Complete Recordings, features all original material, the lyrics written by Derek K. Phillips and the music composed by the entire band. There are some guest musicians on these tracks, including some string players. The opening track, “Right At Home,” is a wonderful straightforward rock song with a good beat. This is music that feels like summer to me. Not this summer, perhaps, but a normal summer, a good summer. You know, that positive, fun, youthful, carefree sound that promises warm days, excitement and good times, with guitar work leading the way. Music you want to enjoy with friends outside. Josh Boisvert is on organ on this track.

“A Lot To Love” is a sweet pop number, with pleasing harmonies and some really good lyrics, like “Taking your time when you know it’s running out.” That’s a line you can think about for a while. And “You can change your mind, but not what’s right” is one hell of a good line. It struck me the first time I listened to this album, and continues to do so each time I play it. That line is then followed by these: “Changing your mind in the middle of the night/Walking on out when you’re crazy from the fight.” The song ends on that note. It is followed by “People Get Lonely,” one that ought to get you on your feet, or at least dancing on your chair or in your bed, or wherever the hell you spend most of your time these days. The track rocks, and features more good vocal work, sounding sort of like early Paul McCartney & Wings, that band’s more boisterous songs. And of course the title line is one everyone can relate to in these days of isolation and social distancing, though the line that I relate to most is “Now we get lost in time, forget what’s on our minds.” What the hell was I thinking anyway? That final “Ooh” at the end surprises and delights me each time I hear it.

From the moment “Summer Girls” starts, it has me smiling. This track has a sound designed to lift you up, and it works every time. Again, it takes me back to my younger days (am I already old enough to say such a thing? lord, where did the time go?). Anyway, I just love this song, partly because of its ridiculously catchy rhythm. “And you sing, and you sing, and you sing/But you can’t really hear anything.” That is followed by “Warped Reality.” I had a feeling somehow I’d be able to relate to a track titled “Warped Reality.” I mean, really, isn’t that a perfect song title for what it is we are all experiencing? The first line is “Isn’t it a pity how quickly you can fall apart?” And so, yes, I am relating to it. Of course, with it opening with the line “Isn’t it a pity,” you can’t help but be reminded of the George Harrison song. And indeed, it has a somewhat similar vibe and pace. Adding to this track’s appeal is a string arrangement by Phillip A. Peterson, who also plays cello. Rachael Pearson is on violin. This track ends with the strings. Then “Sunny Golden Side” has something of an early 1970s folk rock vibe that I dig. “Always lost, frustrated/But all this time it’s always been nearby.”

There is something moving about “Angelina.” It’s a song you can sway to, and let carry you off, in part because of the wonderful vocal work.  “I’ll be around when you fall from above/When you’re running away, wasting your time/I’ll be around when you’re changing your mind/I’ll be around.” Then, interestingly, he adds, “And I’ll bring you down,” and lets it end there. That’s followed by “The Ballad Of Sister Sadie May.” There is a bird sound effect at the beginning of the track, but almost before you are fully cognizant of it, the song is underway. It has a rather cheerful and totally enjoyable pop sound, with some mid-1960s folk rock influences heard in the guitar work, yet the lyrics tell a more serious tale. “She had a scar on her cheek, she had a rip in her dress/But when she walked down the street, she could hide the rest/‘Cause when you’re down on your knees/There’s no time for rest.” There are birds at the end as well. The album concludes with “Fade Away, Love,” a track that I was curious about because of its title, which seemed the antithesis of the Buddy Holly song “Not Fade Away.”  This beautiful song begins gently, and features another excellent vocal performance, as well as a string arrangement by Philip A. Peterson. Victoria Parker is on violin. This is another of my personal favorites.

CD Track List

1. Right At Home
2. A Lot To Love
3. People Get Lonely
4. All That You Know
5. Summer Girls
6. Warped Reality
7. Sunny Golden Side
8. Buttons & Brass
9. Angelina
10. The Ballad Of Sister Sadie May
11. Get Yourself Away
12. Fade Away, Love

The Complete Recordings was released on October 25, 2019. By the way, this one is also available on vinyl, a choice of black or bright red. (Yes, I want to get a red copy.)