New. KillerStar.

 

I want to thank Mr. New for the chatbox heads-up regarding KillerStar, a new record just released by Rob Fleming and James Sedge, both dear friends of David Bowie apparently, as the duo's debut record features a host of Bowie alumni, including Earl Slick, Mike Garson and Gail Ann Dorsey for starters. I'm a bit surprised that I knew nothing about this release. Mike Garson is very active on social media and I don't recall it being mentioned, though I could have just missed it. Nonetheless, I am happy it found me.

Aside from the band's name, which is clearly a nod to Bowie's track "New Killer Star," and the all-star Bowie employee lineup, the songs all feel very much like songs that could have been recorded  by Bowie at various stages in his career. If that's not enough, there is some plain ol' appropriation, like pulling the "Absolute Beginners" vocals for "Should've Known Better," or Mike Garson channeling his "Aladdin Sane" self on "Everybody Loves A Hero." As a matter of fact, if you're a Bowie fan, you'll will have fun pointing out the various references sprinkled throughout.

My initial reaction to all of this was that these references made the songs more interesting. But on second spin, I truly enjoyed KillerStar, which is both glammy and gothy, and a solid debut on its own, though I honestly can't say I would have paid it any mind if it wasn't for who was on guitar, bass and piano.