Wish I Could See – Cheap Star

Cheap Star’s Wish I Could See features an all-star cast. On this latest release, lead singer/songwriter Remi Vaissiere is joined by Jon Auer (Posies), Brendan Benson, Mitch Easter, Roger Manning Jr. (Jellyfish) and a host of other notables. The results are predictably quite satisfying.

The slow, melodic “Lifetime” starts things off. The driving “Flower Girl” is a pleasant juxtaposition with it’s more up-tempo guitar-forward thrust. And speaking of nice juxtapositions, “You Don’t Wanna Change” has a country twang to it that hits this listener just right. The title track is simple, stripped down power pop. At just 2:21, it’s almost Plimsouls or Nerves worthy.

One look at the full roster of musicians on this record further reinforces the chosen moniker. There is plenty of “Star” power here.  In addition to those mentioned above, there’s Brian Young (Fountains of Wayne) and Gary Louris. As one would expect with a group this talented, the musicianship is superb throughout.

If I may digress for a moment, I’ve met both misters Auer and Easter but under very different circumstances. They’re wonderful gentlemen. If you and I should bump into each other some day, remind me to tell you a story about each – one rather embarrassing (for me) and the other quite humorous.

Get Cheap Star – Wish I Could See

Totaling ten tracks of Posies-like magic, there’s a lot to like about this latest offering from Cheap Star. Be sure to get the CD version directly from Kool Kat Musik (comes with an exclusive bonus disc!) or get the digital from the band’s bandcamp page.