Big Star

A new album by Big Star is tantamount to a new record by the Velvet Underground. The band plays it cool, easing back into making relaxed, harmonious pop like the tranquil kick-off track, "Dony." A solid effort, with only the baffling disco-funk of "Love Revolution" feeling out of place.

The original Big Star -- Alex Chilton, Jody Stephens, Andy Hummel and Chris Bell --
achieved its power-pop perfection when no one else was looking, on 1972's wishfully
titled #1 Record and 1974's Bell-less Radio City. The reunited Big Star -- Chilton and
Stephens, with Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow of the Posies -- have the weird fortune of
releasing their debut album to a world expecting that American Beatles ideal all... More >