Calling All Stars

• Artist: Chan Poling
• Rating:
• Release Date: February 05, 2002
• Genre: Rock

Review

The ex-Suburbs' first collection of pop songs in over a decade (he had been successfully composing scores for musical theater in the interim) continues and expands on the style he established with his Minneapolis alt-pop/funk-punk band. With a deep, mournful Bowie/Brian Ferry voice and stylized songs that incorporate his obtuse yet compelling stream-of-consciousness lyrics, Poling's album sounds like a less-aggressive version of the Psychedelic Furs. Poling's pathos-laced tunes resonate with a hypnotic sheen, incorporating elements of lounge, jazz, soul, and Tom Waits' twisty, beat-like, brittle jazz-rock on "Dig the World Spot." He also mines Leonard Cohen's passionate, dry, morning-after bellow, infusing even the most atmospheric tracks with a feverish undercurrent. Like Ferry's albums, this could use a few upbeat rockers to offset the softer pieces, which dominate the disc. But songs like "Sweet" spring from the same tough and moody alt-rock well as Romeo Void's "A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)"; it straddles both worlds remarkably well. Balancing his arty pretensions against melodies that swoop and glide, Poling proves he has a knack for writing densely poetic lyrics that resonate through the strength of his songs, crafty arrangements that never overwhelm the tunes' subtleties, and a smart, self-assured performance. By tapping into his new wave past and adding twangy, spaghetti western guitars, gypsy violins topped with a touch of punk's tensile anger, and a full dose of alienation, Poling has crafted a challenging, uncompromising album that best reveals its eclectic layers over repeated listenings. ~ Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Dizzy	Jay Leonhart	Chan Poling	(5:09)
I Don't Want to Kill Anymore		Chan Poling	(4:03)
Insensible		Chan Poling	(4:32)
Sweet		Chan Poling	(5:14)
Calling All Stars		Chan Poling	(4:25)
Science	Paul Weller	Chan Poling	(3:46)
I Know	Barbara George	Chan Poling	(3:22)
Dig the World Spot		Chan Poling	(3:21)
Federal Rum		Chan Poling	(3:06)
New Sad Song		Chan Poling	(4:35)
Frankenstein	Edgar Winter	Chan Poling	(6:25)
Dreamland	Joni Mitchell	Chan Poling	(4:14)

Credits

Fernando Silva (Violin), Joe Mabbott (Mixing), Chan Poling (Keyboards), Tom Peterson (Bass), James May (Organ), James May (Guitar (Acoustic)), Chan Poling (Vocals), Mike Michel (Guitar (Electric)), Joe Mabbott (Engineer), James May (Guitar (Electric)), James May (Mixing), Joe Mabbott (Drums), Chan Poling (Producer), Terry Eason (Guitar), Mike Michel (Guitar (Acoustic))