Album review from the Aware Music Store...

The Boston based trio has come along way since their formation in 1995. The bands first two releases were on independent label Imago Records, and won the band many praises and awards in the Boston area. After the success of the bands previous CDs there were numerous offers from many record companies looking to sign the Push Stars. In 1999 the band released their major label debut album with Capitol Records titled After the Party. A CD that lives up to the band's billing as the Boston's "best rock-pop band." The band has already toured with Julian Lennon and Better than Ezra in support of the album.

Most of the songs on After the Party seem to deal with things that have been happening in lead singer Chris Trapper's life. It is this introspective writing that gives After the Party an intimacy that is to often missing from today's top tier artists. Trapper's riveting voice allows him to change effortlessly from upbeat harmonies such as in the first single off the album, "Any Little Town," to a melancholy sadness on songs like "Cinderalla" and "Meet Me at Main Street." The band does a good job of mixing rock, folk and a little bit of country. Other highlights of the album include the song "Everything Shines," which also appeared on the There's Something About Mary soundtrack. It is one of the faster paced songs on the album and helps show that accordians can be cool.

The Push Stars are a great contrast in a time of hard rock and teeny-bopper bands dominating the music scene. For truly great music never goes unrecognized and the Push Stars have already reached the highest plateau of critical acclaim when the New York Times proclaimed After the Party to be "Classic pop perfection." I think that sums it up quite well.

by Micheal Flemming Chicago, IL