Starless & Bible Black

Starless & Bible Black

(Locust)

Record Review by Alexis Roberts

The self-titled debut from this little three piece lays down the perfect soundtrack for a trip through the non-touristy, secluded beauties of England that are probably so often overlooked, just like the band themselves.

Starless & Bible Black is fronted by the lovely French vocal chords of Helene Gautier. Her angelic high pitched notes ring through the air with a striking amount of power. Her high notes come out as shrill and icy, but it doesn’t take any beauty away from the songs. Starless describe themselves as English folk rock and would like to believe that they are following in the footsteps of artists like Pentangle and John & Beverly Martyn; it’s wonderful how they have used the musicians who inspire them to create rather than to imitate.

As you listen the album, it almost takes you back in time to the Renaissance. The guitar stylings matched with Gautier’s vocals, specifically on songs like “The Bitter Cup” have that Celtic, super-old-school feel—while still maintaining a certain amount of intrigue by overlaying songs with synth harmonies and other sounds that will haunt you.

They have achieved something completely new for bands of today. As of yet, the Starless sound is something that nobody else has caught on to. However, this is going to take awhile for listeners to catch on to as well. It’s a bit trippy… kind of like you are going to Scarborough Fair, but on a handful of random pills that you got from some dude at a rave. If there was one thing that could make this band almighty, it would be if they dressed up as Lords and a Lady of the Renaissance, because that shit would draw a crowd no matter what.