The Morning Line – Stars

The San Francisco quartet—led by Stephen Smith’s Costello-ish rasp and Brian Mello’s jangling guitar—pulls 21 tracks spanning two decades (including two new singles), remixes and sequences them by their individual feel rather than chronology. As a result, it feels organic and alive.

Opener “Anhedonia (Start Again)” sets the tone: a three-chord jaunt that recalls mid-period R.E.M. and Wilco, its chorus memorable. Guitar jangle is the order of the day with “90s Pickup”. “Staten Island,” is lyrically reminiscent of Fountains of Wayne. Acoustic detours (“Down the Aisle”) and classic guitar jangle (“All Mine,” “Stars To Me”) keep this retrospective varied and interesting.

Comparisons to Velvet Crush, early Wilco, and Teenage Fanclub still hold, but the remixes further flesh out their identity: literate college-rock drive with an Americana bend. At 21 songs it risks sprawl, yet the sequencing and fresh mixes make it feel like one continuous night drive rather than a scrapbook. The Morning Line’s Stars is an aural map of the miles already covered and the promise of roads not traveled – yet.

Pre-order The Morning Line’s new LP, Stars, at Big Stir Records. Release date is Sep 18.