MAJOR STARS

Return to Form

By ELI BADRA

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For over a decade, Boston's Major Stars have been on a heavy-footed march of consistency, a steady stream of unrelenting psych-rock since 1998. Return to Form is the band's strongest effort since expanding in 2005—a mélange of Sandra Barrett's (and now, Amanda Bristow's) classic rock-vocals, a rock-hard rhythm section and a three-guitar assault that leans heavily on the wah-wah pedal. Return effectively demonstrates Major Stars' ability to write shorter pieces, like "Better Stay Down" and "Two Degrees," but the real meat of the album is its raucous jams. "The Space You Know" starts with some clear pop sensibilities, but within a few minutes, those sensibilities are thoroughly eradicated, giving way to ... well, a really fucking noisy freakout. These jumbled masses of sound are where Major Stars really shine: chaotic and confusing, but undeniably tight. Guitars swirl around a rhythmic sense of order, resulting in an album that is loud and ferocious, yes, but also the clear product of a band that has fine-tuned their aesthetic for 10-plus years.