STARMEN – By The Grace Of Rock ‘n’ Roll (2021)

In February 2020, STARMEN released their debut album, and followed up with a second effort in July. Yes, two LP’s the same year, a rarity nowadays. That happened in the Seventies, when recording labels asked bands for new material after few months. As example, KISS released their first two albums the same year. We mention KISS because STARMEN are pretty influenced by the legendary act.
Now the band is set to release their third album: “By the Grace of Rock’n’Roll”, plenty of 80s-inspired anthems. This is the kind of albums four decades ago you purchased just looking at the cover artwork…

The story of Starmen has its beginning in 2018 and is based on a fun idea. The guys wanted to pay tribute to some of their idols, rooted in good old days of hard rock and classic rock, even down to the detail of every band member wearing their individual make-up in individual color-coding.
This is a band that takes their image seriously, with full make-up and stage wear that would make the rockstars from the glamorous ’80s feel like home.
No doubt that Kiss albums have been listened to by these Swedish rock pastry chefs more than once and songs like ‘Bad Habit’ embrace the musical inspiration.

Equipped with a good sense for melodies, the quartet finds the right balance of melodic attraction and heavier riffs. With ‘Shining Star’ the album benefits of a good opener with a hook that catches your attention right away. The title track is next on the batting order and the Kiss-references are undeniable.
On the title track – the rock anthem “By the Grace of Rock’n’Roll” – the Kiss-references are undeniable, a real crowd-pleaser that should appeal fans of that classic arena rock so hard to find now. All four members are singing lead vocals on this one.

“Kisses of an Enemy”, written and sung by the new band member, bassist Jonatan Samuelsson (Narnia), as Starman Gold is just another fun, catchy tune. Then we find the 80s-inspired mid-tempo song “Kairi”, and you’re taking back to a time when a song had an recognizable melody.
Also the cool grooving and a bity funky ‘Black Thunder, White Lightning’ is ear candy and it’s the galloping ‘Pleasuredome’ with the Deep Purple references that also knows how to please.

These four gentlemen are all veterans fron the Scandinavian rock scene, coming from a long line of past and current projects, who have a very definitive love for the Classic Rock sound.
They share vocal duties, and all are equally capable behind a microphone; although Kristian Hermanson seems to be the principal “frontman” (if there is indeed a true frontman in the group). The musicianship involved is superb, filled with blazing guitar from Andreas Lindgren’s hand, and a very solid bottom end, courtesy of Marcus Sjoblom and Jonatan Samuelsson.
‘By The Grace of Rock ’n’ Roll’ is a really cool album. It’s just fun to listen to these guys. A record that brings color into life and helps the sweep the gray winter memories.
Highly Recommended

01. Shining Star
02. By the Grace of Rock‘n’roll
03. Kairi
04. Black Thunder White Lightning
05. Kisses of an Enemy
06. Pleasuredome
07. Spaceplane
08. People’s Parade
09. Bad Habit
10. Hotter Than Fire
11. Angels Cryin’ (Bonus Track)
12. Shining Star Voice Outro (Bonus Track)

Starman Gold (Jonatan Samuelsson) – Lead vocals, bass
Starman Red (Kristian Hermanson) – Guitar, vocals
Starman Purple (Andreas Lindgren) – Lead guitar, vocals
Starman Silver (Marcus Sjoblom) – Drums, vocals

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www.amazon.com/Grace-Rock-N-Roll/dp/B08PXBGSWQ