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Raised on Indie review of Living Under the Radar

DPRP Review of  Living Under The Radar

Tracklist: The Penitence (3:44), Union's End (3:54), Alone (3:0, Inside Out (4:10), Summer Handbook (3:19), Understand (4:5, Our Last Dance (6:19), I Am Dead (5:29), New Start (4:11), Such Is Life (4:53), Nearly Stars (2:26), Deception In The Word (8:49)
One of the most uncomfortable situations that can appear when writing a review for DPRP is when the album to be reviewed has absolutely nothing to do with prog. This is the case with Stellarscope, an American trio formed by vocalist/guitarist Tommy Lugo. Stellarscope is around for 11 years now and they have released lots of full length albums and EP's. Living under the radar is their latest try and the first I come across with.
On their website and their biography, one can find an endless list of influences, spanning half the rock genre, but nothing but Pink Floyd that is part of the prog community. Then again, is there anybody out there not influenced by Floyd? To me the most basic element of their song-writing is noise. Noise the way Sonic Youth have defined it, the way Smashing Pumpkins popularised it, the way Radiohead have experimented with it, the way Sigur Ros keep on preserving it. The other axis is the post-punk rather than post-rock philosophy behind the songs: very raw tracks, sometimes you get the impression that they entered the studio and recorded the songs in a couple of days, without almost any post-processing. The overcast legacy of Joy Division survives here too, together with a hidden, lurking, more lush, elegant, even romantic one (My Bloody Valentine, even Cocteau Twins with a bit of imagination) - I say lurking and hidden because the noise covers it all at the first listen. One can also find elements of Space-Rock in the way they sometimes experiment with some tunes and concepts. In fact, when they go psychedelic, and less noisy (mainly the guitars, like in New Start), the result is more interesting, at least to an ear trained with prog. The percussion is more than welcome when it appears, and I have the impression that more synths and keyboards would make the final result more appealing. Indeed, the best tracks of the albums do not lack synths. Finally, some songs are reminiscent of Sabbath or Bauhaus, like, as you might have guessed from the title, I Am Dead.
Something that really made it hard for me to get into the album and obliged me to dig deep in order to discover some beauty in this release is the really horrible production. I understand that the band is self-sustained but this result is repulsive for a huge audience - especially the prog audience, being used to crystal clear productions. I have to admit though, that after a lot of tries and attempts, I did discover parts I like, ideas that talk to me and tracks with a character. Particularly, tracks Union's End, Summer Handbook, Our Last Dance and the mysterious nine minute Deception In The Word are very powerful tracks that gave me the courage and the will to come back to the album after the first disappointing listens. The last track in particular features a very different way of singing on behalf of Tommy Lugo compared to the rest of the album (more lyrical), even a more witty song writing that vaguely reminded me of And Also The Trees. More mellow, more melodic and more subtle. Still, I repeat: this has absolutely nothing to do with prog. If some of you out there are interested, please do visit the Myspace page of the band to hear some clips (unfortunately not many from this album). For the rest, this is another genre and I have to leave it unrated. But to be honest, it grows in a very weird way...
Conclusion: Unrated
CHRISTOS AMPATZIS
http://www.dprp.net/reviews/200643.php

Somewhere Cold Interview

Hey everyone! We have a double feature on Philadelphia 's masters of shoegaze, Stellarscope! Firstly, we have a review of the band's latest effort, a full-length experimental electro-shoegaze CD entitled Reverberations. After that, be sure to check out the interview we just posted with band members Tommy Lugo and Bob Forman. These gentlemen answer our questions in a fun and interesting manner. Afterwards, hug your kids, drink some lemonade, and celebrate Stellarscope day with us!


Tommy Lugo and Bob Forman of Stellarscope by Brent

Philadelphia ’s Stellarscope is a duo that has been creating concoctions of lush noise for a few years now. They are in the process of releasing two wonderful works of shoegaze goodness: “Wasted Time” EP and the full-length “Reverberations”. Tommy Lugo and Bob Forman from the band answered our questions about this up and coming musical force.

How did you guys get your start in music?

Tommy Lugo- I started singing & playing bass in punk rock bands in the late 80s, though I was singing since I was a kid. My first year of college, while singing in the Puerto Rican Band Arnold Layne, I was introduced to shoegaze by longtime friend, guitarist and band-member Gardy Perez and it changed my world forever.

Bob Forman- I come from a musical background- my mother was a pianist & my sister plays classical flute. I wanted to play the drums because I wanted to be like Keith Moon (The Who), & John “Bonzo” Bonham (Led Zepellin).

And how did Stellarscope form?

Tommy Lugo- I started stellarscope (actually initially the project was called theflow) back in 1995 after the break-up of Arnold Layne. It was meant to be a solo project but I found some people that were interested in playing out & recording with me so we did. Then I moved to the Philly suburbs and met Bob…

Bob Forman- I joined Stellarscope in 1998 through an ad that I responded to… and I have been the only other member of Stellarscope that hasn’t left or been fired…hahaha… we have a revolving door of musicians that come and go.

What influences does your band have, musically, lyrically, etc.

Tommy Lugo- From my end I’d say Joy Division, The Cure, Bauhaus, Love-n-Rockets, My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Radiohead, Slowdive, Pink Floyd… and the list goes on.

Bob Forman- I’m from the old school of rock… Pink Floyd, Rush, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, The Who… though I also loved the drumming of Smashing Pumpkin’s Jimmy Chamberlin.

How do you write and record songs as a band?

Tommy Lugo- I tend to write all of the music, then I bring it in, and we jam and figure out what we want to do with it. We also jam a lot so some music comes together that way. We record in simple fashion… as a 3 piece… bass, drums, & guitar (that is if there is a bass-player), then we do the multi-tracking and a lot of the times we keep our first takes- because it seems to carry a rawer element.

Bob Forman- yeah, we love to jam… can we jam now?

On your "Reverberations" release, you changed your style to include drum machines and electronics...why did you experiment with these new sounds, and are you pleased with the results?

Tommy Lugo- Reverberations was an experiment of sorts… we were working on an album for Enraptured/Endorphins Records (UK) and I came up with the idea of having the members of stellarscope at the time to write & record their own individual songs since we all had solo electro-pop projects , then once the base of the individual recordings was done we exchanged what we had done amongst ourselves we recorded what we wanted to add and we had Dave Juncos (of Dimazza –our keyboard player at the time) mix it down, then I recorded all of the vocals and did the final mix & mastering. None of us had heard the final product until that time. Needless to say I was very satisfied with the result. It is more open & sad in terms of sound and sadness makes me happy. I’ll take this time to say thank you to Mike Meyers, Dave Juncos, & Jim Snyder because they were all instrumental in the creation of Reverberations.

Bob Forman- I have no comment… I just sat there…hahahaha

How important are lyrics (in comparison with your sounds)...how do you balance the two?

Tommy Lugo- Lyrics to me are as important as the music… it is the extension of the feelings of a moment. We look as music as art… so the lyrics are the finishing touches of the masterpiece. Though sometimes they are buried in the walls of noise your subconscious will still receive the intended message. Funny, people who read the lyrics tend to say they are darker compared to the music…

Bob Forman- Tom, that’s all you…

What do you think of the current shoegaze/dream scene?

Bob Forman- What scene? Jajaja I didn’t know… maybe somebody forgot to tell me about it…

Tommy Lugo- I love the bands of the underground… like a place to bury strangers, skywave, alcian blue, project skyward, sciflyer, highspire, autodrone, resplandor, un.real, etc. And because I love this music is why I work so hard at putting together shows, tours, & festivals, which I have done since 1998 in the east coast of the USA. There’s so much talent out there being overlooked, it is a shame so, I am trying to do my part… more people should be doing it for their own cities and they would see the growth. To tell you the truth I like the underground bands more so than the ones that are getting attention… maybe it’s because the purity of what they are doing. Props to all of you out there pouring your hearts out.

How has your music been received in the scene?

Bob Forman- What scene? Hahaha

Tommy Lugo- Other than some fans & some fellow bands that we play with I don’t think people get what we do… we have heard “you are too British for the Americans, too American for the British”, “the vocals are too upfront that’s not shoegaze”, “it’s too noise-y”, ”it’s too rock”, “there are too many changes”, etc. Our music is a lot different than most of the bands in the scene because we want our music to reflect all of our influences from classic rock to jazz to goth to shoegaze to alternative rock. Innovation is key. That is why we treat every album as an entity of its own, and morph, bend, twist, & turn things to the next finished work of art.

Tommy, I know you are Puerto Rican...how has your music been received by other Puerto Ricans?

Tommy Lugo- all who has heard what we do like it, which is simply delightful. I am pretty well known in PR so it’s really cool to have your people open their arms to you.

Is there even a Puerto Rican shoegaze/dreampop movement out there?

Tommy Lugo-There isn’t a Rican shoegaze/dreampop movement per sé but there is a cool underground movement brewing… there’s my friend Gardy Perez’s band Un.Real- which is an awesome shoegaze band. You also have bands like Balun- which is an excellent dark electro-pop band, Cornucopia- dark ambient, Burning Faces- dark goth like experimental rock, and more like Descojon Urbano, Introdujos, Suite, etc.

What do you think of the "independent revolution" occurring right now in music as a result of the internet and home studios?

Bob Forman- I think it is great it is opening more doors for artists that deserve to be heard by a broader audience.

Tommy Lugo- I’m with Bob on this one…

What are some CD's that you're into right now?

Bob Forman- bands I’m into right now are the Secret Machines, Lake Trout, Queens of the Stone Age, The White Stripes, & the Music.

Tommy Lugo- I’ve been listening to Skywave’s Sythstatic, Project Skyward’s Strange Synchronicities, Balun’s While Sleeping, Lake Trout’s Another One Lost, Autodrone’s demo, & A Place To Bury Strangers’ demo.

Do you have any other projects besides Stellarscope that you are working on?

Bob Forman- I’m Stellarscope all the way.

Tommy Lugo- I have my solo project Panophonic… it is my avenue to express the mess that is constantly in my head… I’ve recorded 9 full length albums in the past 2 year’s, just finished another one and I am working on 2 more… that’s what you can do when you don’t sleep…hahaha.

What's in the future for Stellarscope?

Bob Forman- I don’t worry about the future… what come will come. Tommy Lugo- noise sweet noise… music sweet music… a bigger fan base & more exposure would be nice…

Any other comments?

Bob Forman- Everything sux…….. except, I guess, Stellarscope!

Tommy Lugo- …come and drown in a sea of lush noise.

Contact: Tommy Lugo
Email panophonic@yahoo.com
http://www.stellarscope.net
http://www.pateticorecordings.com





Stellarscope: Reverberations Review


We recently reviewed Wasted Time, an EP from Philly’s Stellarscope, noting that the Slowdive-inspired music hinted at a band full of promise. However solid Wasted Time was, though, it could not prepare us for Stellarscope’s next release, hot on the heels of their EP. With their full-length Reverberations, Stellarscope takes a giant leap forward in sonic exploration and songwriting, and in the end create a compelling musical experience that will appeal to fans of the shoegaze/dreampop subgenre.


The most noticeable difference in Stellarscope’s approach to music that appears on Reverberations is a new focus on using electronics in favour of live drums. And, while simply infusing one’s music with drum machines may seemingly do little to alter a band’s music, the experiment no doubt influenced the way Stellarscope wrote and recorded this CD. For instance, the songwriting on Reverberations seems generally tighter and more focussed than on Wasted Time. In addition, the band relinquishes their noisy assault on the eardrums and dissonant chord structures in favour of more balanced (and slightly more accessible at times) sound usage and more accessible songwriting. Overall, Reverberations simply sounds more musical, and more pleasing to the ears, whole retaining a heavy experimental vibe to the recording.


Reverberations opens up with the eerie, “Alma”. Sung entirely in Spanish with Tommy Lugo’s distinctive and passionate vocals, “Alma” right away introduces the listener to Stellarscope’s new musical ethos. A light electronic beat and subtle electronic bass line gives forward motion to what is essentially a drone/atmospheric song. A cloud of hazy sound, constructed by what seems to be a blend of heavily affected guitars and keys, cradle Lugo’s emotional vocals. The beat finally dissolves, leaving a couple of minutes of drone sounds that eventually fade away. “Dominio”, with its psychedelic sounds, lazy electronic beat, and layered vocals, lead the listener into a dreamy state of mind. Though the song is minimalist in terms of the density of the sounds used, the band smartly uses their sounds to convey a mood of depth. The catchy “Universe” follows, and is a great example of the tighter songwriting that Stellarscope has employed for Reverberations. The song’s main melody shines over a tight electronic beat, soft atmospherics, spoken word samples, and an almost rock-sounding instrumental refrain. The song is memorable, as the melody (and overall vibe) lingers on in the listener’s mind. Perhaps the key song of Reverberations is “The Rapture”. Featuring a slow, druggy tempo, random and strange keyboard and guitar sounds, a foreboding melody, and one of the few songs to actually feature live drums, “The Rapture” has “signature song” written all over it. With unnerving lyrics such as, “it is time to flee from me”, and Lugo’s wrenchingly emotional vocals, “The Rapture” is as disquieting as it is beautiful. Following this song, the more comforting instrumental “Circle Are None” plays, with its gentle keyboard parts and blooping light electronics. “She Said: It Is” delivers the band’s fastest song of Reverberations, and the electronic approach to the song give it an almost 80’s synth-pop feel at times. That’s not to say that the shoegaze atmospherics are cast aside on “She Said: It Is”, because the song displays an impressive array of hazy sounds, including a buried guitar solo that is beautifully played until the song’s fractured conclusion. Yet another song that somehow blends intriguing songwriting with heavy atmospherics is “Close to Home”. This song utilizes space generously, allowing the various guitar lines, vocal melodies, keyboard parts, and electronic samples to intertwine and play off of each other. As a result, “Close to Home” sounds reminiscent of a “post-rock” song (slightly resembling Bark Psychosis) than a shoegaze song. Yet, the band pulls off the experiment maserfully. Another instrumental song, “It Is Time…” features an upfront electronic beat, a simple melody played by layers of guitar, and odd sounds warbling in and out of the haze. Finally, the tightly-written “Lost Inside” blends psychedelic guitar lines with a relentless light electronic beat while Lugo sails his vocals pensively over the music.


The end result of Reverberations is a moody and absorbing collection of songs that will appeal to lovers of shoegaze, dreampop, psychedelia, and atmospheric recordings. The experiment of utilizing electronic beats and other novel sounds while retaining some of the previous shoegaze-sound the band was known for has paid off quite handsomely for Stellarscope, as Reverberations is a unique-sounding project with few weak moments and a lot of very strong ones. Reverberations confirms what fans of Stellarscope already knew: that this band is capable of creating inventive and fantastic music. And, with their ambitious attitude and already-lengthy discography, it seems likely that we’ll be hearing more from this talented band in the future.
Added: Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Reviewer: Brent
Score: 4 1/2
Related Link: Stellarscope Website
hits: 11
Language: eng

Stellarscope Reverberations  Review


The extraordinarily prolific Tommy Lugo has recorded no less than 9 albums under one guise or another. Stellarscope is his shoegazing pseudonym but despite the high work-rate it shows no signs of a flagging talent. In fact, just the opposite, 'Reverberations' is a clear development in songwriting following on from 2004's 'Fingerpaint The Colour Of Sound'. Whereas previously Lugo opperated in the Spiritualized/Ride margins of FX-rock, the space-rock has been replaced by spaces which means the music is allowed to breathe. All the qualities are there in first song 'Alma' as the fragments of guitar noise disappear into vapour trails. The slowed-down drums and ambient sounds of 'Dominio' are on a par with Breathless' 'Blue Moon' recordings whilst the sampled voices and chilled-out tune of 'Universe' completes a cracking start to the album. Further on, the beauty of a Cocteau Twins instrumental is captured on 'Circles Are None'. Another example of why the shoegazing scene is alive and as well as ever. – Leonard’s Lair

Score: 4

Also Recommended:
Breathless - Blue Moon
Highspire - Your Everything
Slipstream - Transcendental
Stellarscope - Fingerpaint The Colour Of Sound
Various Artists - Audio Wonderland - Bedroom Ambience 3

Popmatters on Stellarscope's Wasted Time EP

Stellarscope surrounds the listener with spaced out paranoia, moaning melodies, and artificial loneliness.
—Pierre Hamilton
POPMATTERS

Somewhere Cold Stellarscope: Wasted Time Review

Oftentimes, as a man of Puerto Rican descent, I am torn when it comes to music. Everyone knows that Salsa, Merengue, Jibaro, or maybe Reggaeton are the logical choices of music listening for coquis like me. And yet, here I am listening to and writing about dreamy shoegaze music. While I LOVE the tropical sounds of congas, cuatros, and fluid bajo lines, I almost feel like a traitor being so enthralled by shoegaze/dreampop music. Thankfully, though, I’m not alone. For, while Philadelphia ’s Stellarscope plays a tripped-out brand of classic dreampop, paying homage to Slowdive with their affected layered sounds, I can take comfort in knowing that front-man Tommy Lugo is a fellow Borinqueno. What this has to do with the group’s EP release, Wasted Time, may escape most listeners; but for me, the fact that the swirling layers of guitars heard on Wasted Time are crafted by a Puerto Rican musician is soothing to my tortured soul.


Of course, taken by itself without any reference to the nationality or culture of the musicians, Wasted Time stands on its own as a collection of moody and atmospheric shoegaze songs. The frantic “Out of Time” opens up the CD with crashing drums, droning guitars, and a fast tempo. The song reminds me of what would result if one combined the sound of Isn’t Anything-era My Bloody Valentine with Slowdive, as the dissonant guitars are layered yet jarring enough to unsettle the listener. The soothing “Tesseract Blues” follows, with its mid-tempo drum work and soft layers of guitars and keys. Lugo’s voice, while always distinct and expressive (setting him apart from many other shoegaze/dreampop singers) is markedly softer and subtler on “Tesseract Blues” than on track 1. The short “Moon Mode” is next, and like “Out of Time” features fast and busy drumming by Bob Forman. The melody is a little less distinct on this song, and this fact, coupled with the fast pace of the song, gives it an almost punk feel. Yet, “Moon Mode” is able to retain the dreampop moniker as it also employs a plethora of sonic layers that echo in the listener’s ears. The epic “Darklight” is a slow moving song with an elevated chorus and chimy guitar lines. The reverbed sound of the verses gives way to a wall of distortion for the chorus, and is augmented by Lugo’s passionate vocals. The song then descends into a flourishing cacophony of guitars, keyboards, and drums. “Azul Cielo Azul Mar” is perhaps Stellarscope’s finest song on this EP, with its tender melody and swirling keyboard and guitar lines cradling Lugo’s voice. More than the others, “Azul Cielo Azul Mar” shows Slowdive’s influence, as the song’s overall sound emanates a dreamy and wistful feel. Finally, “Perception is Reality” ends Wasted Time with its nicely executed guitar work, lingering melody, and harmonized vocals. The song also reminds one of Slowdive, with its hazy production, while rising above Slowdive comparison with aggressive playing during the soaring chorus.


Indeed, Wasted Time is a very promising and enjoyable release from this ever-improving and experienced band. While the production featured on the disc is relatively murky sounding, Stellarscope is able to craft a sense of depth with their beautiful layers of sound. With future releases already being perfected and readied for release both as a band and on individual projects, Stellarscope is a band to watch out for. And, though Stellarscope is a three-piece unit with two awfully Anglo-sounding names providing the rhythm section, don’t fault me for declaring with a sense of pride (and relief as a Puerto Rican) that onWasted Time latin music has never sounded so dreamy! (for fans of Slowdive, The Meeting Places, and Malory)

Added: Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Reviewer: Brent
Score: 4
http://www.somewherecold.com/module...wcontent&id=122

Planeta Amarillo Review of STELLARSCOPE - “Fingerprint the colour of sound” CD 
(Patetico, 2003)

STELLARSCOPE son un trío americano de shoegaze y space-rock en la onda de grupos como SLOWDIVE, RIDE o los primeros LUSH, ya sabes, guitarras envolventes, voces etéreas y atmósferas llenas de reverberación, a lo largo de estas 13 bonitas canciones, unas de envoltura más opresiva, de caos y desorden, y otras de ambientes más sedados, en cualquier un objetivo claro para sellos como el americano Clairecords o el alemán Alison, con quién al final han sacado este álbum, que gana a cada escucha. Mis favoritas: 1. Face of the deep.
2. Perception is reality.
3. Tomorrow is now.

-Rafa Skam
http://www.yellowmelodies.com/e-zin...d/Stellars.html

Delusions of Adecuacy Wasted Time ep review

What is it about the sound of crashing waves that is so relaxing? The experience is entirely destructive, chaotic, and most of all raucous, yet one can hardly help but feel awash in serenity merely sitting and listening to the pounding surf. Well, the veteran space-pop group Stellarscope has managed to plug directly into this sensation with their latest offering, the Wasted Time EP.
In Wasted Time, the folks in Stellarscope play space pop driven slowly forward by bass and drums as the guitars, vocals, and “space violin” build a massive wall of chaotic yet tranquillizing noise. The group borrows heavily and unabashedly from genre definer My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless, right down to the blurry cover art. Singer, Tommy Lugo’s vocals are distant and mournfull, often harkening back to the late Ian Curtis.
The first track on this EP opens rather deceptively with a bassline cruising at a brisk pace and transforming into a Joy Division-esque song containing what could very well be the only decipherable words on the EP, as Lugo can be heard muttering “Maybe today is a good day to die.” The next five tracks on the EP are one wall of sound after another, and even though none of them stand out particularly in my mind, they really don’t have to.
While Stellarscope’s Wasted Time probably won’t be likely leave a lasting impression on the listener, the 24 minutes of gentle swagger and aimless bliss it induces make up for this in spades. You’ve definitely got to be in the right mood to enjoy this type of music, but when that mood strikes you and you've got a half-hour to kill, Stellarscope’s Wasted Time is surely a stone-cold lock.

- Lee Kilcrease, 11/26/2004

http://www.adequacy.net/review.php?reviewid=4939

 Indieville Review of Stellarscope's "Something Delicious EP" 

"Something Delicious" is pretty and a bit catchy, but "Perception is Reality" hasn't got a worthy pop hook in sight. The best song is the last, "Spring" - it's a passionate, creepily minor-key epic that is worth a listen if you can get your ears around it. It's got a neat Smiths / Joy Division / Jesus & Mary Chain feel going on. All in all, this is a promising EP

Fun Fact: Stellarscope has contributed songs to quite a few compilations, including tributes to Slowdive and The Jesus & Mary Chain.

Matt Shimmer http://www.indieville.com

Stillborn Zine review of Fingerpaint The Colour of Sound

Hey, calm! what has happened? which disc have I put in? "Fingerpaint the 
colour of Sound" by Stellarscope of a such Tommy Lugo.. eh? and 
who are they? It would appeal to know some more about them but at
the moment I do not have time (I only know that Tommy is
also the mastermind behind the project Panophonic), indies plow-play and go
with a new turn of this "Fingerpaint the Colour of Sound".. of that
draft? boh!? probably They define himselves as shoegaze but I have never
understood that definition and for more Stellarscope play with the noise, the darkwave, with the postpunk, with the indie rock crucco and with post-rock (a particular Pò)..alla long
I can say decidedly that this job a very varied one and a winner.
The compositions are varied in between but it still feels all of its own, they can
also fregiarsi of the branding "Stellarscope" you will hear touches of Sonic Youth,
Slowdive, Joy Division and it points out to acid post-psychedelic aggression (Tomorrow is Now of is an example)... to tell the truth I also feel a Pò to us stoners indeed.. but "Fingerpaint the Colour of Sound" is not a disc that can be describedin 4 words, it is a disc that crosses 20 years of rock in 50 minutes, and to the fine ones it leaves a sign you. "Fingerpaint the
Colour of Sound" is a job that will perhaps pass a Pò in silence,unjustly, and it deserves your purchase for sure because it is truly one breath of fresh air in the panorama rock clones of the 2004...
http://www.stillborn-webzine.tk/

El cd, t-shirts, buttons, posters, y mas disponibles atravez de este enlace...
http://www.cafepress.com/stellarscope
info de la banda...
http://www.stellarscope.net

Kinda Muzik review of Fingerpaint (in Dutch)

Dat shoegaze ooit is uitgestorven, dat vind ik nou jammer. Live-shows van My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Ride en Chapterhouse moeten overweldigend zijn geweest. Enorme geluidserupties terwijl de muzikanten bewegingsloos op het podium staan. Een ultiem contrast vormend. "Stellarscope is blijven hangen in de shoegaze-mist van begin jaren negentig." Zo wilde ik deze recensie in eerste instantie beginnen. Na twee keer luisteren, en dat is niet goed. Want ze hebben dan wel een flinke tik van de shoegaze-molen gekregen, er zit nog wel een beetje meer in Fingerpaint the Colour of Sound.
Het, overigens abrupt eindigende, 'All for' komt subtiel binnen met gitaarlijnen die rinkelen als die van The Durutti Column: helder en fris. De wazige vocalen achter een gordijn van typerende shoegaze-distortion laveren in hetzelfde gebied als die van Neil Halstead (Slowdive), Andy Bell en Mark Gardener (Ride). Ze zijn duidelijk aanwezig en bezitten genoeg melodische variëteit om te boeien, maar zitten immer verscholen achter dat stormachtig gitaarspel.
Serene wendingen worden afgewisseld met vulkanische gitaaruitbarstingen. Explosief en beladen. De belletjes die af en toe rinkelen stimuleren het psychedelische Spacemen 3-effect. Af en toe treden ze de onderwereld van Loop binnen met zware gitaareffecten en donkere sferen. Een beetje misplaatst is het echoënde drumeffect van 'Dynamic Evolution', alsof je met je hoofd vastzit in een plastic bal terwijl er iemand een drumsolo op hamert. Gelukkig hoeft dat niet langer te duren dan tweeëneenhalve minuut en kunnen we daarna gewoon weer lekker opstijgen. Het effect van Stellarscope is meeslepend als je zweert bij de schoenenstaarders van weleer. Mocht dat zo zijn dan is Fingerpaint the Colour of Sound een mooie halte om weer in die shoegaze-trein te stappen en te genieten van de mooi uitzichten die voorbij suizen.
http://www.kindamuzik.net/reviews/article.shtml?id=7521tekst: Joris Heemskerk

^TRANSLATION...

Shoegaze has never died out, I find nou jammer. Live-shows of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Ride and Chapterhouse must have been overwhelming. Enormous geluidserupties whereas the muzik stands inert on the podium. An ultimate educational contrast. Stellarscope continue to hang in the shoegaze-mist of the beginning years, the nineties. I want start this way this recensie in the first place. After listening to it two times, and that is not that good. Because they have got a considerable tick of the shoegaze mill, but there still is lot more in Fingerpaint the Colour in the sound.

Moreover finishing abrubtly , ' All for ' subtly soars with jet ear lines which tinkle as those of The Durutti column: clearly and fresh. The vaporous vocals behind a curtain of typifying shoegaze distortion tracks in the same area as those of Neil Halstead (Slowdive), Andy Bell and mark of Gardener (Ride). They are clearly present and melodic enough in variety to captivate, but always surrounded behind that tempestuous jet ear game.

Serene inversions are varied, with volcanic jet ear breaking loose. Explosive and loud. The bells which tinkle from time to time stimulate the psychedelic Spacemen 3-effect. From time to time they enter the underworld, of course, with heavy guitar impact and dark environments. The one that seems out of place is the echoed drumeffect of ' DynamicEvolution ', as if you have stuck your head in a plastic ball where someone hammers a drum-solo. Fortunately it only lasts no longer than two and a half minutes and we can take off afterwards simply nicely. The impact of Stellarscope is dragging if you swear at theschoenenstaarders of weleer. That should be, by the way, then is Fingerpaint the Colour of Sound a beautiful halte in which to step in the shoegaze train and enjoy the beautiful views which rustle beyond

StarPolish review of Something Delicious EP

Philadelphia spacey rock trio, Stellarscope, make some fine modern psychedelia that’s 100% old school with no annoying trendy fillers added. “Perception is Reality” is the song to beat here, with its swirly drug-rock influences that recall The Jesus and Mary Chain, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, Blur and The Cocteau Twins all at once. I love it. Drummer Bob Foreman is an absolute animal whos all-over-the-kit style reminds me of some great drummers like Budgie from The Banshees, the late Keith Moon and Alice Cooper drummer, Neal Smith. I would like to hear an entire album by this band, and I don’t say that very often. My only hesitation is that the name Stellarscope sounds an awful lot like StellaStar, a band that’s getting more than its fair share of praise and hype right now. So the similarity in names could be good or bad, depending on which side of the fence you’re on with StellaStar. But of the two bands, I like Stellarscope better.
-Gail Worley
http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/display.asp?id=1930

Logo Magazine review of Fingerpaint the Colour of Sound

Stellarscope
"Fingerpaint The Colour Of Sound"
(Alison Records/Pateticorecordings)
Released: 12 April 2004

Shoegazing seems to be making a quiet comeback recently, providing a downbeat alternative to the hordes of bombastic post-rockers similarly influenced by Slowdive and Ride. Philadelphia ’s Stellarscope - led by Panophonic’s Tommy Lugo - wear those comparisons well, drenching their somnambulistic drones with effects that sound like they’ve set the controls for the heart of the sun. Their strength is their intuitive grasp of dynamics, an approach similar to that taken by the likes of Vini Reilly and ‘Storm In Heaven’ era Verve.

-Suzie Q- Logo Magazine
http://www.logo-magazine.com/albums/display.asp?AlbumID=3014

No Brains Zine review of FINGERPAINT THE COLOUR OF SOUND

STELLARSCOPE "FINGERPAINT THE COLOUR OF SOUND" CD, 2003
Stellarscope are really nice surprise. "Fingerpaint The Colour Of Sound" is beautiful dreamy psych post punk album. They call it "ethereal post rock", but if I have to describe their music n few words, to me it sounds like psychedelic Joy Division with some Loop, Spacemen 3 and very early Dead Can Dance influences. Still, Stellarscope are different and original. I like their changes from loud and noisy parts into dreamy and psychedelic sphere. Singer has really great vocal that goes perfectly with noisy and psychedelic guitar sounds. They also have some similarity with early Can. There are 13 songs and it's almost impossible to pick out favorites. It's getting late while I'm writing this review and this is perfect after midnight music, great CD before you go to dreamland.- No Brains Zine http://www.nobrainszine.com/reviews94.htm

Splendid Zine review of REVERBERATIONS

I've often heard that the Cure and Depeche Mode are huge in Argentina, and that fans are known to destroy soccer stadiums because they felt that they'd been shorted a few encores, but hadn't seen the result of that influence until now. Though Stellarscope may disagree with me, Reverberations mixes a heavy dose of the two groups -- but if you know anything about either of the bands' music, saying "this sounds like the Cure" could mean almost anything, depending on the era. Stellarscope takes snippets from both groups' length careers and forms a union that is a world of its own. You might call Reverberations Stellarstar's Songs of Faith and Disintegration. A dream combination? Sometimes.

The instrumental "Circles are None" blends ethereal strings, deft percussion programming, stellar orchestration and that trademark chorused guitar sound that inspired a million kids to smudge lipstick all over their faces. In "Close to Home", programmer/vocalist Tommy Lugo sings in English (as he does for roughly half of Reverberations' vocal tracks), his voice a blend of droning Gahan and slightly skewed Smith, while creeping, methodical trip-hop-style beats and soaring guitars fall around him. However, in much the same way that Disintegration lives in an ethnocentric universe, rarely leaving or allowing anything in, this disc, despite all the cool effects and sounds, rings too similar in the approach to every song -- apart from the Kid A stylings on "Lost Inside".

Perhaps I need to "live" in these tracks for a few more weeks. Maybe everything will reveal itself then, just as Exciter and The Top did. Until that happens, I'll hope that Reverberations breaks out of its mold, even if it is cut from a legend.-- Dave Madden

http://www.splendidezine.com/review.html?reviewid=109178754010014

Think Small review of Fingerpaint... in Dutch

Stellarscope – Fingerprint In The Colour Of Sound (cd, Patetico)
Best aardig hoor, zo'n cd-tje vol met vage droomgruisshoegaze. Zo kun je zelfs met twee glazen sinas achter de kiezen nog doen alsof je knetterstoned bent. Dan maakt het ook allemaal niet uit dat er een flinke waas over de nummers hangt en dat ze zich nooit zo heel erg om een kop of staart lijken te bekommeren. Je denkt gewoon ‘heeeee… woooooow… mooooooi’ Maar na een nummer of zes ga je je toch wel realiseren dat je echt alleen maar sinas op hebt. En dat is juist het moment dat bij Stellarscope de THC een beetje begint te werken en men meer en meer wat lukraak op allerlei knopjes begint te drukken. Theoretisch gezien kán dat best interessante muziek opleveren, maar Fingerprint In The Colour Of Sound is iets te veel een album uit de praktijk. Zo loopt het dus toch nog mis tussen jou en Stellarscope.
Martijn Grooten
29 september 2004

Leonard's Lair Review of Stellarscope's "Fingerpaint the Colour of Sound" 

The Germany-based Alison Records label have specialised in the promotion of shoegazing more than most and Stellarscope dutifully oblige with an album that is full to the brim with FX-saturated histrionics. Led by Tommy Lugo, 'Fingerpaint The Colour Of Sound' ticks all the relevant boxes for influences, from Lush to Ride to Slowdive. 'Face Of The Deep' is their most convincing calling card; an anthem of escalating guitars matched by an atmosphere of impending menace with Lugo's sneer providing an unshiftable threat. Also worth special mention are the pounding 'Perception Is Reality' whilst the toned-down 'Matters Of The Heart' is a welcome moment of clarity and the exemplary space rock of 'What U R' will be familiar to those who heard Enraptured's brilliant 'Bedroom Ambience 3' compilation...  for all shoegazing obsessives this record should keep the faithful contented.-Jonathan Leonard

http://www.leonardslair.co.uk/stellarscope.htm

Stoner Rock Chick Review of Stellarscope's "Something Delicious EP" 

Band: Stellarscope
Album: Something Delicious E.P.
Label: Allison Records
Release Date: N/A
Reviewed by: Kevin Kapala
Posted: Mar 18, 2004


I’ve been listening to so much of the HEAVY for so long that this CD was somewhat of a treat … a bit of a break from the norm for me. The sound on Stellarscope’s three song E.P. is reminiscent of mid-sixties psych rock. If I had to make a comparison, I would say Baby Woodrose mixed with The Stone Roses crossed by astral sound washes.

The first song is straight 60’s Brit psych rock replete with heavy Dallas Arbiter Fuzzface fuzz in the right channel that offsets the clean jangle in the left. It took me awhile to get it, but the dynamic works here … making the track more interesting to listen to.

On song two, Stellarscope shows the Polyphonic Spree a thing or two in the vocal department… without being overbearing as their white robed brethren. The vocal work here is outstanding. The track is laden with lush, multiple vocal tracks that weave in and out from each other … nothing less than trippy.

Song three is quite dreamy and my least favorite. It reminds me too much of the horn-rimmed glasses crowd sitting around sipping lattes and nodding their beret topped heads in appreciation on a Tuesday night at Borders … all the members seem to be trying a little too hard here and it’s just not my bag. Furthermore, song number three has digital ‘skipping’ and would drive one nuts if you were a bit 'out of yer head'.

However, this E.P. delivers the goods. As for my personal opinion, give me more of the first two songs on a long-player and you have the makings of a rather unique album … the soundtrack to a breezy, lazy summer day with stars in your hair. For a three piece, these cats surely make a lot of sweet noise. They are purveyors of the psych rock of yesteryear. Dig it.

http://www.stonerrockchick.com/cdreviews/reviewDisplay.php?reviewID=458&type=new

Lofi Magazine's review of Stellarscope's "Something Delicious EP"

Stellarscope
Something Delicious EP
2003 pateticorecordings/alison records

When we started LOFi a few months ago (almost half a year ago now) we did a lot of debating about the role our zine would play in the local music scene. On one hand there are lots of good bands that could use the publicity we may or may not be able to provide them. On the other hand there is a very limited audience in Philly for original music. Tommy Lugo, Stellarscope’s front man, clearly shares these sentiments,
“Philadelphia has been the cover capital of the world for several years... there are more cover bands in this city than any other US city combined and most of the clubs cater to the cover bands. Sad but true.” After receiving Stellarscope’s “Something Delicious” EP things may not be so sad for Lugo and his compatriots.

It’s often difficult for the inexperienced musician to realize the importance of noise in music. The real world is a messy and chaotic place. Our struggle as human beings revolves almost entirely around our attempt to organize and classify the deluge of random data we are exposed to every second into something useful. For this reason the music that touches us the most and seems the most real is often the least structured.

Stellarscope makes use of this idea by suffusing the album with just enough noise to reveal the chaos that inheres in this reality while maintaining the overall melodic and structural elements of each track. The EP paints a dreary image of love lost and dreams dissolved. This is just the type of music I expect to hear from a city David Lynch once called, “the sickest, most corrupt, decaying, fear-ridden city imaginable.”

The muddy production (perhaps unintentionally) compliments these themes as guitars bleed into vocals and the drums devolve into white noise. Like a poorly focused photograph, the production adds atmosphere and intrigue to the album, forcing the listener to consider both the process and provenance of each song. Borrowing from vocalists like Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Lugo ’s voice is sparse yet dramatic. The vocal tracks are set back in the mix, compelling us to consider the crises of a world gone awry, rather than the personal plight of a songwriter.

Overall, this EP came as a surprise to me. I expected to be getting a lot of CDs from metal and goth acts when I asked for demos from local bands. At times I wished Stellarscope had taken bigger risks with their composition, and instrumentation but it often takes a while for bands to develop a unique sound that works. Stellarscope is certainly doing their part to combat the banality that abounds in the local music scene, and I definitely look forward to hearing more from them in the near future.


- Justin Thibault- Lofi Magazine

http://www.lofimag.com/reviews/reviewstemp.php?rev=sscope.html&idn=14

Shmat Records Review of Stellarscope's Fingerpaint the Colour of Sound 

 Stellarscope
Fingerpaint the Colour of Sound (CD)

Every once in awhile a band comes along that is not content with merely taking what they can get from their music scene, but who put all their efforts into creating something exciting and inviting everyone along for the ride. Stellarscope have been instrumental in creating a positive buzz for the pop scene back in the Philadelphia/East Coast area, with founder/vocalist/guitarist Tommy Lugo organising the well-received Alison Records tour in '03, and constantly setting up shows for touring indie bands of various popularity. Always prolific (Tommy also has a solo project called Panophonic and reckons he recorded roughly 8-10 albums worth of material last year alone), "Fingerpaint the Colour of Sound" is their first proper album on a label and is an excellent insight to an exciting band really hitting a their creative stride.

Opening with the beautiful "All for", you are immediately whisked away to a place where sleepy Saturday mornings come with soundtracks by the Durutti Column and are struck by two things: melody and vocals. Whether it's to hide a multitude of sins, shite lyrics, or painfully thin voices (or all of the above), the heavily reverbed, Slowdive approach to vocals more often than not kills whatever passion drove them in the first place. The vocals here are prominently mixed and easy on the effects, giving the lyrics and their delivery the room and definition they are deserving of. The true strength of Stellarscope, however, is in their melodic dynamics - a sure sign of a good live band. "Of lost grace" and "Something delicious" are a lethal 1-2 punch in the middle of the album, with the latter having the effect of sticking your head out of the car window at about 90 miles an hour whilst drunk on the freedom of youth. "What u r..." is a beautiful, spaced out trip-hop song somewhere between Global Communication and "A Storm in Heaven"-era Verve, and adds a nice balance to the powerful newgaze anthems before it. The album's closing songs, "Let me feel..." and "Eterna Nada", are epic slabs of bliss, starting slowly and building up to tense and climactic endings.

It is obvious a lot of effort went into making this such an interesting record to listen to. The tracklist is well paced and the album is recorded & mixed well, none of which matters without good songs which, fortunately, Stellarscope seem to have in spades. While this album is highly enjoyable and highly recommended, I can't help but think that the best of Stellarscope is yet to come.

- review by RP (1.28.04)   http://www.shmat.com/reviews.php?page=detail&rev=99

Mundane Sounds Review of Stellarscope's Fingerpaint the Colour of Sound 

 A few weeks ago, I witnessed a pathetic display of maturity in the name of being 'hip.' On one of the mailing lists I subscribe to, some wiseacre decided to take a few potshots at another band, simply because he didn't think that band had anything original. It was a really sad display; I stopped following the argument after about email number thirty--and the argument continued for another hundred or so emails. Watching hipsters argue amongst themselves is a funny experience; though they try to sound as intelligent as possible, it often takes about one or two emails for the gloves to come off, and the maturity level usually disappears shortly thereafter.

The crux of the argument was this: What good are bands who simply imitate every style they hear? Well, the answer's not particularly interesting, because it's simple: who cares? I'm going to repeat that, because it's a most important point: Who cares??? See, the thing is, if all you can do is listen to a band and dismiss them for sounding too (insert genre or musical style here), then are you really listening? Why are you wasting your time even listening to music? Do you not understand that every band borrows things from others, and that the best bands aren't the ones that simply make utterly original music--they're also the ones that inspire others to making music? Of course, there's something to be said about bands ripping off other bands, but that's not the issue here.

I mention this here, because it's an issue that's been raised with bands like Stellarscope. See, they're a shoegazer-influenced band, and they make no secret about it. Listening to Fingerpaint the Colour of Sound is like a time machine to the early 1990s, and that's not a bad thing. I mean, I could see these guys fitting in nicely with bands like Pale Saints, Lush, Chapterhouse, Ride, Adorable or Bleach, and I really don't care, because I happen to like that particular kind of music. I like the idea of hearing a male version of Lush (as on "Something Delicious") or a more modern Pale Saints (as heard on "Cryogenic Sleep"). But do I think they're simply digging up these bands and making their entire career on them? No, I don't, because they aren't. After all, music is made by people who enjoy music, who enjoy other bands, and if a band happens to throw in a shimmery guitar part that reminds them of their faves, then more power to 'em.

Are they imitators? Are they original? It's really a matter of taste, but I really don't think that the house of Rock and Roll has been built on complete and thorough originality. Personally, for every imitation I hear on Fingerpaint the Colour of Sound, I also hear some original ideas, such as the lovely "Tomorrow Is Now" and the shimmering "Let Me Feel..." simply cannot be beat. Imitiation may not be something that you can base a longstanding career on, and I think that after a period of time and growth, Stellarscope will refine their sound into one that's all their own. Still, this is a really nice record, and I've enjoyed it.

--Joseph Kyle http://www.mundanesounds.com/record_review.php?id=655

Stellar scope “And They Ate Of The Fruit Of Knowledge…” CD 

 Sounds like the same singer as Panophonic.  A little more rock (less industrial), noisier, but still a twin brother to Panophonic. Somber ethereal post rock, (dreary - but not real dark) with grungy stoner rock in the blend. - Neo-Zine

Supple Selections Vol I and II Comps 

(Supple Records Inc./ POB 212 / Hicksville, NY 11802-0212  soundproofs@aol.com) Two different comp CD’s featuring #1: Frances8, Velvida, The Trinity Project, Blurred Images, Petracovich, Sylva, Kewb,  #2: Josodo Joseph Innacelli, Project Skyward, Non Finri Mai, Panophonic, Newagehillbilly, and Delta Waves.  Icecake is on both Cds. I’m reviewing them both together. Hope that’s not a problem (They are comps after all.) I like these. Charming ambient sounds perfect for a cozy herbal tea moment (or maybe another herb.) Agreeable stuff. Sometimes genius. Some real shining moment in here.- Neo-Zine

Audio Wonderland - Bedroom Ambience 3

 Stellarscope begin proceedings with a marvellous widescreen take on Spiritualized's spaced-out rock- leonard's lair 

Available on Masstransfer

Blue skyed and clear for Slowdive 

... el dream pop ensoñador de NC y Stellarscope tratando "Visions of LA" y "Spanish air" respectivamente- Redactor: Pablo Suárez & Marta Luis 

Available on So-Soft Recordings

NIAGARA NOTES 

...from Philadelphia, Stellarscope was
formed in 1995 as a solo project that evolved
into a band. Virtually every drone, dreampop,
pysch, jam, new wave, punk, prog, avant, post
rock, experimental, and indie band has
influenced their eclectic, ethereal music.
Stellarscope’s newest album Fingerpaint the
Colour of Sound is slated for release this
fall.- By Patricia Vollick

Orange Entropy Records Review

...the demo I received opens up with a cleverly focused, spaced out hard hitting Chapterhouse meets My Bloody Valentine in a 3 minute pop piece. Strengths lie in Tommy lugo's straight ahead vocal conviction and echoed guitar and ivory ticklin'. the dreamy backdrop over "nameless future" a 4 star song, btw) and extentuous "middle eight" kept my pupils wide. Echo often gets old and tried, but stellarscope have taken it a step beyond the 1971 Pink Floyd knock-off's. They have a pretty rare ability to combine quality space-pop and lavish surreality and , yes, even white noise to achieve an ecclesiastic-orgiastic frenzy. -michelangelo of orange entropy records.

Dreampop links review

sonicsoundscapes- Great male/ethereal vocals that reminded me of Ian Masters, lead to an explosion of silky melodic guitar noise. **PICK OF THE MONTH 12/2000**

stars of stage and screen

your band is amazing. I've listened to all your songs so many times in the last 2 days its silly. thnmnt stars of stage and screen new york city

dreampop radio

dreamsong-I can't resist a song with flute... Very psychedelic period Beatles sounding. A lot more improv than their other work, almost sounds live. Tune in and turn on!

Pop Renaissance Radio

namelessfuture- A worthy tribute to the infamous Spacemen 3. Bliss out.

Rollingstone.com

The sound could have been better but all and all it is an excellent song. Layers of different instruments that create the whole sound, and every instrument compliments the other. Lushy guitars, haunting lyrics, raw bass lines, and very powerful drums. It is almost like there three different songs all made into one. Definitely a classic ala Led Zeppelin meets Spiritualized.

Nick King

Stellarscope’s album: Sonicsoundscapes from the Blue... Some great guitar work & drums Bob Forman)... ...my favorite songs are 'angelbystarlight' (luv it...nice groove...guitar goes off), 'namelessfuture'(the end feedback/sonic noise sucks your soul right out into some nameless place...brilliant ending to the album)...'midnightlullabye' (kick ass guitar & drums, sleazegaze???), 'myholyquest' (coolhypnoticmantrastyle), 'it'sok' (quirky & original). I'm enjoying' the album today in fact...on constant revolution... ...bet you got into bands like: Spacemen 3, Loop, Ride, sianspheric, MBV, Sonic Youth, Spiritualized, Jesus & Mary Chain, Hollowphonic, 10 Second Dynasty... ....interesting how Stellarscope is like your American party/intense/let out the frustration/full on energy release side...& Panophonic the laid back South American/chill out/drifting/spiritually peaceful yet contemplative side...the two sides of Tommy Lugo...most cool indeed...