star

belly

reprise/wea, 1993

Mood—Hmmm... tough to say. Decidedly "alternative", undecidedly intense?

Sample: "Gepetto"

Thoughts— Wow, this is probably the most "90s" album I own. Belly's lead and founder Tanya Donelly is proof that a singer need not have singing talent to score a record deal and become very popular. Of course, there are plenty of examples of this, but this is always my first thought when I hear Belly.

Filled with medium-speed guitar rock, a female vocalist that's always just a little bit off-center, and the sort of poetic lyrics that speak most strongly to high-schoolers, Star is an enjoyable but not overwhelmingly fantastic album.

Songs like "Witch" and "Feed The Tree" are worth coming back to regularly, while "Stray Dog" and "Low Red Moon" are the types of tracks I'd just as soon forget. One song in particular, "Untogether", is certifiably awful. In the end, I don't listen to Belly very often, and I'm fine with that. The few good songs are worth it for me. Though Belly only released two albums, they have a "Best Of" compilation that may be a safer bet.

Recommended? Maybe, if you really like the sound of the 90s.

Link—Belly on Wikipedia

Tracklist
1. Someone To Die For
2. Angel
3. Dusted
4. Every Word
5. Gepetto
6. Witch
7. Slow Dog
8. Low Red Moon
9. Feed The Tree
10. Full Moon, Empty Heart
11. White Belly
12. Untogether
13. Star
14. Sad Dress
15. Stay