September 4-10, 2003

musicpicks

stellastarr*

Rock/pop

Before The Ravonettes drag The TLA into a gloomy film-noir swamp tomorrow night, stellastarr* will fill the room with color and light. The New York City newcomers (featuring Philly-area expats Amanda Tannen on bass and Michael Jurin, late of Charlotte's Funeral, on guitar) do bright Brit-rock epics quite well for four kids from the States, as evidenced on their self-titled debut due out on RCA Sept. 23. Even if singer-guitarist Shawn Christensen's voice comes off a bit gawky -- think Jim Carrey playing David Byrne -- it's easy to get sucked into the album's swirl of digital loops ("Into The Walls"), new wave riffs ("No Weather") and lively disco beats ("My Coco"). Tannen even adds some cheeky Olympia-inspired background vocals, though it'd be nice if she got to sing actual words. Still, the overall package is addictive, with New Order and Pulp serving as obvious points of reference -- hell, they've got a tune called "Pulp Song" which, it should be noted, is not a cover. But once the echo guitar rolls, the strobe flashes and Christensen starts to wail, you won't concern yourself with what came before.

Fri., Sept. 5, 9 p.m., $12-$14, all ages, with The Ravonettes, The TLA, 334 South St., 215-336-2000.

—John Vettese

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