I must admit that I have listened to Lover, Our Lips Have Left Us by Two Star several times at this point and am still struggling to find adequate words to describe this indie rock, power-pop masterpiece.
This is the ultimate love letter to any one finding themselves in a stale relationship. Balancing on the fence, wondering which way you should fall…
Opening up with ‘Cue the Choir’ and ending with ‘Kill the Choir’, Lover, Our Lips Have Left Us is an emotional journey through sound. You feel weighed down but at the same time uplifted. As you listen to the lyrics, you feel encouraged to explore yourself in the context of your experiences.
But this record is so much more than that. This album is Justen Hamilton’s story based on “a lifetime of observation, experimentation, interaction, and pretension”. In other words, Justen is one hell of a songwriter.
Backed by Vlad Shapochnikov on keys and vocals, Steve Smith on drums, and George Watt on bass, Two Star is well on their way to receiving 5 star status.
Taking elements from the industrial sounds of Nine Inch Nails, Two Star ups the ante with a fresh dose of pop appeal sure to pull you in from the first note. Fans of Death Cab For Cutie, Thursday, or Bright Eyes will feel at home listening to this record.
Lover, Our Lips Have Left Us tastefully blends the organic sounds of piano, guitar, and bass with the digital noise of layered vocals, synths, and Reznor-esque drums. Mr. Hamilton throws his lyrical substance and catchy hooks into the mix to create this powerful debut album from Two Star.
The production and arrangements throughout this collection of songs is very impressive and another reason I am really digging this album.
Two Star hails from Lake Villa, Illinois and this record is supported by Honest Empire Records. You can grab your copy now.
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