Reviewed by Kelly Hargie

This Leed-based five-piece signed to mainstream label Energy Records last year and released "Give Me Rain" as a single from 'And They Danced On Glass' earlier this year and to be fair it's nothing special. The better tracks come later on in the album. What Star*Bodixa give us is a fusion of fuzzy guitars and mellowdramatic vocals which are supplied by Anna Elias. Gently longing harmonies on "Can U Survive?" and quality instrumentation give this record enough substantial energy to actually make you notice it, if only briefly. Elias sounds a bit like Alison Goldfrapp on a few of these songs so that can't be bad, especially on "Film", which sounds like a really old record crackling, and "Balloon", a superbly mellow and dark tune accompanied by heavy pianos and guitars. Her luscious and lethargic tones really move this album along, but there is something missing which I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe it's the passion. "Universe Song" is all about wanting to escape from this mortal realm. To be with God, who knows? This band are aiming for the mainstream and so faith references are few. Briskly meandering in the uptempo pop rock sounds of "Fairytailed" and the slow drones of "I Keep Out Of Your Way", these last few tracks barely faulter and "Rivers" is just amazing and here we feel some of that pain from the heart. Great.


Kelly Smith is studying Journalism at Staffordshire University and is currently enjoying her summer hols in her homeland Northern Ireland.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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