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"No surprise that there's a lot of talk about this band going around town -- and it's all good."
-Jeff Hahne,
Creative Loafing Charlotte
"If life was fair,
{The Stellas} song
"Vampires" would
be a pop smash."
-Courtney DeVores
The Charlotte Observer
"...The Stellas
{have a}
subversive
touch, using
candy-coated
hooks to talk
about the
disturbing."
-Josh Spilker
Bootleg Magazine
"In the top bands of the last couple of years in Charlotte."
-Divakar
106.5 The End
"Cry Baby Cry" CD Reviews
Creative Loafing Review:
The Deal: Charlotte quartet releases debut, independently released CD, Cry Baby Cry which was recorded and mastered by The Evening Muse's Joe Kuhlman.
The Good: Combining retro rhythms with a modern touch, The Stellas hit the ground running with their debut disc. "I'm On the Outside" almost has a Beatles groove and harmony to it, but the distortion on the guitars will make you think twice. While the band's energy level is kept high, they do find time to slow it down a bit for the title track and the formula works just as well.
The Bad: My usual complaint it's only seven tracks in just over 22 minutes. Though if the goal is to leave you wanting more, mission accomplished.
The Verdict: No surprise that there's a lot of talk about this band going around town and it's all good. A solid debut disc.
AMPS 11 Review:
Cry Baby Cry is the freshman effort by The Stellas.
It was produced by The Evening Muse owner/sound engineer, Joe Kuhlman.
The seven-song disc is jam-packed with catchy hooks and big guitar riffs.
Each song fills the 21 minute disc will frenzied energy. "In Stereo" is the lead
single and has been featured on "90 Minutes"with Divakar. The video for the tune recently premiered on YouTube.
The title track reflects Nirvana influences with lyrics like "
my hands are guilty from taking my advice." Middleton conveys remorseful emotion while singing the climatic "I'm sorry," one of the standout songs on this disc. "Vampires" closes out Cry Baby Cry and it is another standout track. Middleton's vocals are simply haunting, especially when asking "Do you believe in magic?" His voice is driven by staccato rhythms and backed by whispers. Not only is "Vampires" is the longest song on the CD, but it leaves a lasting impression.
Charlotte Observer Review:
The Stellas "Cry Baby Cry"
(The Stellas) ***1/2
On its debut EP, the Charlotte foursome cherry-picks elements from great influences and smashes them into crisp rock songs.
The opener, "Burnout," broods with elastic basslines, fidgety drums, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's attitude amid a Bravery-esque groove. The title track is a Weezer-ish anthem with Beatles-influenced singing. "I'm on the Outside" marries a Garbage-like hook with a whiny They Might Be Giants-like chorus.
And despite Brit-pop-fueled choruses that are not the least bit grunge-y, the Stellas cop Nirvana startlingly well in "In Stereo," with their deadpan delivery, sizzling riffs and mid-verse group vocals.
To top it all off, the distraught, mascara-smeared prom attendant makes for what may be the best local-album cover this year.
