Stars Go Dim “Stars Go Dim” Album Review

Prime Cuts: You Are Loved, Doxology, If It's Amazing Grace

They may call themselves Star Go Dim, but there's not a dimming moment on this new record.  Luminously bright with a powerful surge of effervescent passion is the sound of this brand new record.  It is bold.  It is big.  And it certainly attention-commanding.  Subtlety certainly isn't this quartet's strongest asset.  Nevertheless, the lyrics like its music is empowering, positive, and most importantly God-glowingly worshipful.  Stars Go Dim comprises of 4 worship pastors from Tulsa, Oklahoma: Chris Cleveland, Michael Cleveland, Kyle Williams and Josh Roach.  They have been around since 2007, but this eponymous record is their first with Fervent Records (Word Entertainment).  In fact, Fervent Records is not imprint that is known for its generosity in signing new acts.  Stars Go Dim is thus their first signee since for KING and COUNTRY.

Despite its generic title, "You Are Loved" is already a big radio hit.  The reasons become apparent with one listen:  it has a melody that draws you in from the get go with a much needed message reminding us that God really loves us. With the use of spacey synth riffs and bell-like electronic drums, "All I Have" has the coolness of a Coldplay cut and the weightiness of a Rich Mullins-esque song. Going all out in the percussion department is "See You." This song showcases how crashing electronic drum sounds can be used to heighten the worshipful intensity of this song. Beginning with some crunchy acoustic chords before being submerged in an urgent sonic mixture of drum and guitar blasts, "24/7" finds the boys declaring their love for Jesus: "if all I've got is twenty-four seven, Then all I want is every last second, to make it all about ... you."

One of album's buzz songs has to be their take of the traditional hymn "Doxology."  Featuring their glowing harmonies over a crescendo building aura, the worship of our Triune God has never sounded so glorious.  "Stars," co-written by Williams and Cleveland with Seth Mosley and Mia Fieldes, calls to mind Paul's encouragement to the Philippians of our need to shine like stars in this world ruled by sin's nocturnal prowess.  You can never have too many songs that give exposition to the grace of God, "If It's Amazing Grace" finds the boys at their theological best.  "Here" starts off well with its piano introduction but it gets overwhlemed too easily with its far too busy and polished chorus. 

With such a highly charged album where every instrument seems to be fighting to outshine each other, it can get a little too taxing listening to this 14-track album all the way through.  One would have wished Stars Go Dim would have varied their backing a little bit more.  Maybe on some of their ballads, they could have toned down the electric guitars, that way it would have given a recess from the same overwhelming sound all across the album. Other than cluttered backing on certain cuts, this album is positive, worshipful and defintely bright.      

 

 

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