Originally issued on the band's own
Sonik Wire
and eventually
Simon Raymonde
's
Bella Union
in the U.K. and Nettwerk in the U.S.,
Different Stars
is basically a preview to
Trespassers William
's hypnotic and lush soundscape yet to come.
Anna-Lynne Williams
' soft, angelic vocals, which are eerily similar to
Aimee Mann
's, are flawlessly matched with
Matt Brown
's keyboard and guitar arrangements. The band isn't sonically daring, but their refined presentation is exactly in place. From the lovelorn
ballads
such as
"Lie in the Sound"
and
"Let You Down"
to the sparse twang of
"Alone,"
maintains a quiet atmosphere with slow-changing moods and textures.
"What Could I Say,"
which isn't included on the original album, is
's shining moment. The cold chill of acoustic guitars and
Williams
' lovely vocal delivery resonates early material by
the Sundays
Mazzy Star
. A cover of
Ride
's classic epic
"Vapour Trail"
is dressed in pianos, ebbing synth beats, and again,
' achingly beautiful voice surrounds its sheer texture. Those who will always adore the
dream pop
/
shoegazer
sounds of the early '90s should enjoy the sonic bliss that is
. ~ MacKenzie Wilson