Wired for Sound (2007) 1. Wired for Sound
2. Can U Dig It?
3. Slow Down Quickly
4. highschoolalloveragain
5. (You're A) Caution
Times Like These Call For Tambourines (2004)
1. Ex-Members of a Band
2. Irony Rant
3. Everyone Now
4. Oxygen Miner
5. Opposites Are the Same
6. Boycott of the World
7. Take a Chance on Me
8. Elks
9. Walk Away
10.Tour de Lance
11.Quite the Production
12.(I kinda like) The Rock and Roll
13.Wild Consumption
Click on the album cover to order through CDBaby.com or order both below!
Available in Milwaukee at Exclusive Company on Farwell/Brady, Rushmore Records on KK, Atomic Records.
Retailers outside of Milwaukee-- our albums can be ordered directly through Super D- One stop distribution! Retailers click here
Praise and Reviews for "Wired for Sound"
"This is a great rock CD with good songs, period. Certain Stars excel by not taking themselves too seriously while still being able to rock out. No heavy metal rap or drum machine beats or even Justin Timberlake . . . just good songs, unique personality and an overall fun CD."
RM- the Songcast.
The Big Takeover, issue #62, spring 2008
Certain Stars
Wired For Sound EP
(Cuba Libre)
"I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Certain Stars are the first band in line to swipe their moniker from a Superchunk song. Will wonders ever cease, my friends? Playing straight down the middle indie-rawk, the title track finds the Stars at their most fervent if not particularly engrossing. No major complaints, but something tells me these Wisconsin hopefuls have the potential to open up that proverbial can of kick-ass in order for their tunes to really stick to wall. Until then, keep your fingers crossed."(cubalibrerecords.com)
Praise and Reviews for "Times Like These Call for Tambourines"
"...definitely deserves some attention."
"miles ahead of most Wisconsin Indie bands, and leaves the listener looking forward to the next Certain Stars record."
~Maximum Ink
"There's something to be said for bands that can squeeze various forms of power pop, lo-fi rock and even Nick Drake folk into a single album."
"...a subtle treasure."
~Splendid Magazine
Milwaukee indie rock four piece Certain Stars announces the May 19th release of their second CD "Wired for Sound". Recorded direct to analog tape with Wendy Schneider at Madison studio Coney Island Records, Wired for Sound presents five new songs of melodic powerpop.
Although front man Kyle Hernandez broke his hand loading into a gig two weeks prior to August 2006 recording sessions with Schneider, the band was playing gigs by the end of September and had rescheduled the recording for November. Seeking a recording that reflected the immediacy and high energy of their live show, the band laid down the tracks in two feverish days. Drummer Greg Hein had worked with Schneider previously with Milwaukee sludge rockers Powerwagon and proclaimed Schneider got the "best drum mix I've ever had". Hernandez stated "Wendy has been on my radar since I went to UW-Madison in the 90's and her work is a veritable Who's Who of the Madison music scene" adding "she summoned reserves from the band we didn't even know we had".
The album comes charging out of the gates with the two-chord surf-tinged rocker "Wired for Sound". Guitarist Chris Voss's Dick Dale-inspired surf guitar and whammy bar octave drops adds an especially exciting element to the song.
Starting with an anticipation-building riff that would fit right in an AC-DC classic, "Can U Dig It?" was penned by drummer Greg Hein. Originally titled "Get Out the Spade" the lyrics describe Hein's dedication to finding great underground bands by doing a little digging while others complain about the lack of good music offered by the mainstream.
Guitarist and vocalist Chris Hernandez has fronted his own Milwaukee band Fiercely Me for over ten years. With Certain Stars as a side project he found he was having more fun "showing up, rocking out and writing great pop songs". His Superchunk sound-alike "Slow Down Quickly" is an infectious word of caution "you think you need to move fast to see everything…but the things that you're missing keep on whizzing right by".
Getting the most hits on their MySpace.com page, the Chris Voss sock hop rocker "highschoolalloveragain" is sure to be added to all the kids' iPod play lists! With handclaps and group shouts of "hey" this toe tapper equates a music scene to a high school clique.
Summoning those reserves, the album closer "(You're A) Caution" finds Kyle Hernandez adopting the dirty sexed-up snarl of Iggy Pop. The band breaks into a sped up jam that's part Sonic Youth part "Slow Ride", almost veering off the rails to a big rock finish.
Adopting a business plan to encompass local providers Certain Stars used Madison-Milwaukee CD manufacturer SooperDooper.net for the production of the CD itself. The stark cover art is based on a screen print from band member Chris Voss. It shows drummer Greg Hein, PBR in hand, singing through a badger costume head that hints at the band's local pride.
Certain Stars has partnered with local upstart Cuba Libre Records and the CD will be available for purchase at Milwaukee outlets the Exclusive Company, Rushmore Records and Atomic Records. The CD will also be available for purchase through CDBaby.com and the band's website.
Title of album: Wired for Sound
Group: Certain Stars
Release date: May 19, 2007
past album news-
Recording Update: Coney Island sessions Nov. 15-16, Mixing Dec. 15, 2006. Mastering Jan. 10, 2007. Release date...May 19th!
For anyone who wants to make an astrological chart of our 5-song EP, go right ahead! The sessions with engineer Wendy Schneider were very productive, and almost seamless! She summoned reserves we didn't even know we had. She made Voss search for the perfect feedback, made Kyle stop asking for another take, made Greg do another take, and fondly called Chris H. "Hernandez".
Thank you Wendy, really! We came out with great versions of "Can U Dig It?", "Wired for Sound", "Slow Down Quickly", "highschoolalloveragain", and "(You're A) Caution".
Voss and Kyle took to the task of mixing, which could easily have gone on for days if we had the budget. Kyle mastered the songs with Dan Stout at Colossal Mastering in Chicago.
