Starflyer 59 - IAMACEO

Ever since I started listening to Christian music in 1996, Starflyer 59 has been around. I've been a fan since 97's Americana and the band has been one of my favorites since 01's Leave Here A Stranger. While members have come and gone, front-man Jason Martin has forged ahead and continued to make indie rock goodness.

As the band heads into their 20th year of existence, IAMACEO marks a new chapter for Starflyer 59. It's the band's first non Tooth and Nail released album. There's no cd version of this record. Fully funded via Kickstarter, Martin and company choose to release the album on mp3 and vinyl.

IAMACEO is similar musically to the band's previous two outings (Dial M and The Changing Of the Guard) and like those albums, Martin continues to write deeper and more meaningful lyrics.

The title track kicks off this album, almost as a declaration of band's new freedom from Tooth and Nail. A great upbeat rock song with a classic vibe, but the lyrics hit hard ("You can build it on your own, but you're still not in control"). Is the song about leaving Tooth and Nail? Is the song about, no matter how much freedom you have, there's always someone over you, even if you're the CEO? Is it a veiled reference about God? It's one of the great thing's about Martin's lyrics, sometimes there's a mystery that's left for the listener to just take from it what they want.

Bicycle Rider is a slightly 80's tinged pop song. As always, you know a Martin riff when you hear it. Always catchy in it's almost simplistic nature. Is This All There Is just asks the question the title suggest. The harmonica, which Martin has used in the past, creates a subtle alt-country vibe. Open Hands is a dirty rock song. The guitar tone on Martin's lead is one I don't think I've heard on a Starflyer song since The Birthrite. The piano and harmonica driven Father John feels familiar. It has a swanky feel like the songs on Talking Voice vs Singing Voice did.

I Feel Black is one of my favorite moments on the record. A fun surfy riff that opens up the song, a punchy bass riff moving through the verse but the chorus is dark sounding. The juxtaposition between the verse and chorus creates a beautifully complex moment on the record.

IAMACEO is a fantastic record. Hopefully it's not Martin's last because with each album it feels like Starflyer 59 has more to give.