STARBELLY - Lemon Fresh + (2009 Reissue) :: Not Lame Recordings - power pop and melodic rock record label, music and CDs

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STARBELLY - Lemon Fresh + (2009 Reissue)

Now, THIS is truly exciting news. Out Of Print for almost 10 years, Starbelly`s "Lemon Fresh" was one of the Not Lame label`s earliest releases. Pressed in a limited run, it sold out quickly and disappeared. Now, in 2009 it is reissued - WITH 12 BONUS TRACKS added to the original 11 AND for Not Lamers, an exclusive CD-r of a live show added onto the whole package! (the 12 bonus trax are listed below). This is a 19 song extravaganza that features more unreleased songs that are not part of the 23 songs on this CD!

Upon its release, AMG wrote a rare 4 1/2 star review on the album: "Possibly one of the most appropriately named debut albums in the power pop world, Starbelly`s Lemon Fresh is an excellently sweet-and-sour confection of Big Star-influenced guitar pop. Led by guitarist/vocalist Cliff Hillis (also of John Faye Power Trip fame) and bassist/vocalist Dennis Schocket, this collection of 11 tracks written by three songwriters sounds not entirely unlike the legendary Grays release Ro Sham Bo. It`s packed with memorable hooks, melodies, and melt-away background vocals. Nearly impeccable production (courtesy of Myracle Brah`s Andy Bopp) and a flawless set of songs help make this set truly stand out from other power pop releases, and it is another high-water mark for NotLame. Highlights include the smooth pop of the opening "This Time," the summer single "She`s So Real" (a song that should only be listened to on sunny 90 degree days), and the up-tempo, start-stop "When Will You See.""

"All three members sing, drenched in harmonies that are a trademark of the band....an release that swims in the warmth of melodies, harmonies and darn catchy rhythms"-NorthernLight. "One of the best examples of pure guitar-driven pop out there. Filled with hook after impossible hook, harmonies to die for and imaginative arrangements, "Lemon Fresh" is definately a contender for CD of the year!" - Big O. I had oodles of reviews in my files, which are all in storage - most of which appeared in fanzines and pre-internet times but let it be said the production of Andy Bopp and Cliff Hillis on "Lemon Fresh" was stellar for the time it was recorded and that quality holds up in 2009 - still. Certainly fans of Myracle Brah will warmly lift up this albums` fluid vocals, gushingly catchy choruses and, one of the bands biggest assets, effortless vocal harmonies. The original 11 songs shine here and samples of 7 of those are below for you savor as an example their timeless qualities(along with 6 more samples of the bonus trax - I don`t mess around!). This is what the early days of the modern-day power pop renaissance was all about - the template was here but it was in limited quantity then...and now. This reissue is a small-run once again so how long it will be available, I can`t tell you. But 2 albums of super, super hiqh quality power pop this good - one one compact CD and bundled with a live CD-r of a show of the band at their height? Well, another Ebay rarity is in the making - but it`s about the music. Don`t believe me? Start listening below - jump on it or head on out to the digital highway to find your blisss. I`m just trying to make the journey easier.

The Bonus Tracks, on top of the original 11 songs on "Lemon Fresh" are:

12 Revenge

13 Come Around

14 Never You Mind

15 Ragtop

16 Motor of My Heart

17 I Am a Spy

18 This Old Town

19 Misfortune

20 Will You Come Out Tonight

21 Bitch

22 Hourglass