Starbender – Social Engineering
Starbender is a Chicago-based rock band whose Social Engineering just came out – a ten-song collection of britrock and alternative songs that serve conceptually as a calling-to-arms to all. Starbender wants the common folks to work together to fight the corrupt system we’re all existing in. Sure, sometimes it feels like we’re all shouting into an empty void – but this quartet has funneled that rage into a surprisingly fun (and at times beautiful) LP that’s as powerfully-delivered as it is catchy.
Starbender start things off strong with song one and lead single, “Social Engineering.” Right from the get-go, it’s evident that a powerful ’90s alternative rock vein runs through their music – expect jangly, guitar-powered songs full of tasty riffs, chunky distortion, and super-high vocal harmonies. Falling somewhere on the spectrum between Oasis, Spacehog, and early Radiohead, “Social Engineering” makes use of all the hallmarks of that storied ’90s sound. Stick around for the thick-fuzz guitar solo and enjoy the sing-songy melodies that spin stories about the corrupt media, dirty politicians, and the everlasting effects of war – “nothing left for the common man / they’ll keep you on the gerbil wheel until you’re 95…” Kudos to these guys for using the word “gerbil” in a song in a powerful way. Song two, “Here’s Your Thank You!” is a perfect compliment, showcasing some of the catchiest moments on the album – the soaring vocal melody that caps off every chorus.
One of the coolest tracks (and our vote for album favorite) on Social Engineering comes from “Come to Me When You’re Ready” – there’s no denying that bassline (and further confirms our Spacehog nod) – but moreover, it’s evidence that Starbender are no one trick ponies. “Come to Me When You’re Ready” shows a super pleasant reserved nature that alt rock bands tend to lack – not everything here is run through a full-throated guitar amp turned to 11. Instead, we’re treated to a simmering song that swells with a raging undercurrent of energy – like it wants to explode, but knows that it’s better if it doesn’t. You can find this energy on “Machine Approved Monsters” too, though it has a bit more of their trademark alt-rock flair. Expect more guitar work here and a big crescendo apex set off by a jangly tambourine accent.
There is a lot to enjoy on Social Engineering besides the aforementioned songs – though they let their psychedelia flags fly all over this LP, “Behind the Night” feels most like a mushroom-guided walk through the woods lit by a starry (pun intended) night sky. Conversely, both “United Parking Lots of America” and “Seeds” throb with the energy of a Nirvana album track, with their repetitive guitar backbone and digestible vocal melodies disguising pointed lyrics that take aim at our current era of politics. “Something Like a Flower” could reside on a Semisonic album, with it’s refreshing keyboard/piano accompaniment and sunshine-y lope. And if we haven’t squeezed enough references to ’90s bands in yet, we’re going to nod at Sunny Day Real Estate when discussing album closer “Light Come Home.” Any recurring readers of the blog know we’re suckers for a good emo tune, and the verses here are Midwest as all get out – pairing jangly guitar goodness with a lullably-esque melody. Listeners who make it to the three minute mark are treated to a journey through outer space – a twinkling synth flourishes across your headphones, stunning enough to make time stop, before one last explosion of sound and emotion.
Social Engineering is out now (February 27th, 2025). You can find it on Spotify and Apple Music.
Categorised in: Album Reviews
This post was written by Nick Sessanna