Frigid Stars

• Artist: Codeine
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1990 08
• Genre: Rock

Review

The cover of Frigid Stars sets the mood well -- a negative black and white shot of some stars, looking even more haunting as a result. As for the album, the tone isn't simply being cold or unemotional, but simply gripped by a deep black mood, where everything seems on the verge of suddenly going wrong or collapsing. There's actually a cryptic warmth in the slow tempos and feedback produced from the deliberate strumming and chords from John Engle and Chris Brokaw's guitars. It isn't the narcotic hush of Low -- there's actually a little more relative energy than that! -- or sludgy stoner rock à la Black Sabbath, but something else entirely. Bassist Stephen Immerwahr's vocals lend to that feeling, softly ruminative, sometimes straining, but never sounding self-important or whining (though sometimes the lyrics are creepily macabre -- check out the start of "Cave-In"). If one lets oneself go for the album's general feel, then it all flows together to make a touching, surprising experience, but those seeking variety aren't likely to be happy. It avoids sounding repetitious by virtue of the dynamics -- treat the entire album as an extended mood piece, and it works well. Engle's lead guitar work throws in enough heartbreakingly strong moments to help -- the sudden low swoop on "Pickup Song" is a standout, while the dark, forbidding drones on "Second Chance" are truly chilling. An interesting cover surfaces a few songs in -- "New Year's" (co-written by Bitch Magnet singer Sooyoung Park but not recorded by him until the first Seam album, Headsparks, two years later). Codeine here sound a touch cleaner than elsewhere on Frigid Stars, where the guitars can really sprawl when needed, but Brokaw's drumming and Immerwahr's great delivery mark it out as their version instead of merely a straightforward remake. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
D		Codeine	(4:27)
Gravel Bed		Codeine	(3:58)
Pickup Song		Codeine	(2:44)
New Year's		Codeine	(3:33)
Second Chance		Codeine	(4:45)
Cave In		Codeine	(3:37)
Cigarette Machine		Codeine	(4:42)
Old Things		Codeine	(4:59)
3 Angels		Codeine	(4:51)
Pea		Codeine	(3:38)

Credits

Codeine (Producer), Codeine (Main Performer), Chris Brokaw (Guitar), Chris Brokaw (Drums), John Engle (Guitar), Stephen Immerwahr (Bass), Stephen Immerwahr (Vocals), Mike McMackin (Producer), Mike McMackin (Engineer), Tammi Colichio (Artwork), Tammi Colichio (Cover Design), Laura Larson (Photography)