Listen/review: Starbenders - So High

Words by Tim Hakki @TimHakki

What Atlanta’s StarBenders are doing right now is so far against the grain they deserve top marks for doing it so well. They don’t go for psych, punk, indie-pop or shoegaze, similarly they’re not aping any of the various strands of metal that’s out now. Instead they’re just crafting perfect pop songs like ‘So High’. There’s something unmistakably new-wave about it, but by the time vocalist/lead guitarist Kimi Shelter peels off some impressive Slash-esque licks it becomes apparent that this is just good ole American muscle R N’ R played by pros.