Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review


Starflyer 59, Dial M
Starflyer 59
Dial M



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 34 minutes, 29 seconds
Street Date: October 28, 2008


Jason Martin doesn't stop. Nearly every year, you can expect something new from alternative rock band Starflyer 59. 2008 is no exception, as Tooth & Nail is releasing Starflyer's eleventh full-length album, Dial M. Much like every other album they've released, the music is well-crafted and doesn't really sound like any other band on Tooth & Nail (or most modern bands in general).

It's hard to really define the style of Starflyer's music. Alternative seems to be the only fitting blanket label. They use lots of strange noises and none-too-common instrumentation in their songs. "The Brightest of the Head" uses what sounds like a xylophone to add a happier vibe to what might have otherwise been a slightly haunting sound. But then that song is followed up by "Concentrate" which, musically, sounds like it either could've been straight out of the '80s, or a b-side from Family Force 5's Dance or Die - it's also slightly similar to "The Missionary" from Jason's side project with his brother Ronnie, The Brothers Martin. Jason's voice even sounds somewhat like Ronnie's in "Taxi," another synthy song. There are also songs like "Automatic." Despite its too-long outro (for a little more than minute, he just keeps repeating the words "it's automatic" over and over again), it has a great sound like that of the early-to-mid '90s underground alternative scene, like Sonic Youth or the Sneaker Pimps. The sound carries over to "Altercation," but slows down the pace a little for the next song. "Mr. Martin" is an acoustic song with soft piano, and the sound of a bird chirping the entire way through, appropriately leading to the album closer, "I Love You Like The Little Bird."

The lyrics range from topics of emotions, to how Jason sees life, to sometimes pointing to Christ. In "I Love You Like The Little Bird," he reflects on the pressure that sometimes comes with being a musician, "But I've tried, I've tried to write, what was in my head, what was in my head, sometimes I feel, I feel so obsolete, because the kids wants a faster beat." But earlier on in the disc, he talks about the unreliability of other humans, in "M23," "Can I rely, can I?, in the twinkling of an eye, of an eye, we'll rise, so I'll rely on Christ, in the twinkling of an eye, we'll rise." Though he relates to the sadness and hardships, he shows that he still has his head on straight.

Though I can't say I'm all too familiar with Starflyer's previous work, I think it can be said that Dial M will be a hit with the SF59 fans. Some bands keep releasing albums year after year (not going to mention any names) and they either go downhill or they just never mature, but Starflyer 59 keeps making quality music, and hopefully they will for many more years to come. Go out and pick up Dial M if you enjoy their past albums, or if you enjoy music that doesn't sound like everybody else, or even if you're just in the mood for something a little new.

- Review date: 10/29/08, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

. Record Label: Tooth & Nail Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 34 minutes, 29 seconds
. Street Date: October 28, 2008
. Buy It: Amazon.com
. Buy It: iTunes Music Store

  1. Minor Keys
  2. The Brightest Of The Head
  3. Concentrate
  4. Who Said It's Easy?
  5. M23
  6. Taxi
  7. Automatic
  8. Altercation
  9. Mr. Martin
  10. I Love You Like The Little Bird
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images