Stars In Stereo Release Solid Debut

Pop-rocker Becca shot to fame in Japan in 2008 when her song "I'm Alive" from her debut album Alive!!! was featured in the anime Black Butler. She went on to release her debut in her homeland of the United States, but it went nowhere. Her blend of catchy rock influenced pop music went ignored and in 2012 she decided to join rock band Stars In Stereo.
Stars In Stereo began to record their debut album. With the band Becca toured with The Used, Blue October and Flyleaf. Then in October 2012 the band released an EP which was set to precede their self-titled debut. Last week Stars In Stereo released their debut album. Stars In Stereo is a pop-punk/hard rock hybrid that is one part Paramore and one part Halestorm. While Becca is no Hayley Williams or Lzzy Hale, she does a good job of navigating the rocking, synth-kissed anthems that are on this album. Becca shows that she can rock hard on songs like "Violence," "Dealing Secrets," and "Queen of Catastrophe." Each song is catchy and passionate and while they aren't as memorable as some of the songs by her peers, this is a good glimpse of the greatness that Becca and Stars In Stereo may come up with later on.
Slower songs like "Lie Down" and "Open Your Eyes" are also strong points of the album. While there are no bad songs, there aren't that many songs that stick out from the crowd or rowdy rockers. "At the Stroke of Midnight" and "Lie Down" are both highlights. These songs have a different spark than the rest.
While there are some problems with it, Stars In Stereo's debut is a solid, enjoyable release from a talented band. Hopefully they can keep up the momentum of this album and only get better with time.

Flyleaf new album is a mixed bag

Flyleaf begin their third album New Horizons in a big way with "Fire Fire," their best song on the album and one of their best songs period. The song seems to be about front woman Lacey Sturm. This is the final record with Sturm and this song seems to be about her struggle to leave the band. "That's enough now dry your tears. It's been a long 11 years." Sturm sings in the first verse. The song is catchy and emotional and gets the album off on the right foot.
The band burst onto the scene with their self titled debut that sounded like a more hardcore version of Evanescence. Sturm's vocal style blended her beautiful singing with some metal screams to form something that hadn't been done by too many females until Flyleaf. Their debut featured songs like "I'm So Sick" and the band's only top 40 hit "All Around Me."
The band have always been proud of their Christian faith and while a few songs on the first record had religious lyrics, there was always another meaning. The on their second record 2009's Memento Mori the band embraced their Christianity more. This was a turn off for non-religious fans and despite that the songs just weren't as good.
But New Horizons is a decent album. While most of the songs are enjoyable like "Call You Out" and the title track, there are a few less memorable moments. Songs like "Saving Grace" and "Cage on the Ground" are boring.
"Broken Wings" is a beautiful tribute to friendship that is packed with so much passion that it's almost overwhelming. The song is so gorgeous and Sturm sounds fragile and sad. Another highlight is the rocking "Great Love." "Green Heart" takes the band back to their early metal sound.
While New Horizons is bittersweet because it's the last album with Lacey Sturm it's also a good sign that Flyleaf will survive.