Polestar 1 – Flying Thru The Universe (1980/2009)
Artist: Polestar 1
Album: Flying Thru The Universe
Genre: c / Space Rock
Label: Mandala
Year Of Release: 1980/2009
Quality: FLAC (tracks+.cue)
Tracklist:
1. Flying Thru The Universe – 6:41
2. Sinful Place – 6:53
3. I Can See It – 3:47
4. Searching – 3:42
5. The World Lost It’s Mind – 4:27
6. Who Am I? – 5:02
7. Stars And Planets – 3:00
8. Plastic Ecstasy – 5:36
Personnel:
– Dave Kirby / guitars, vocals
– Dave Murphy / organ, piano, synthesizer, vocals
– Don Sothoron / percussion, vocals
– Don Blair / bass
– Gilbert Jory / guitar, vocals
US obscurity from Baltimore. Polestar 1 appear to have started as a trio, before evolving into a 5-piece line-up around the time of the recordings of their only album “Flying thru the universe”.The members were Dave Kirby on guitars and vocals, Dave Murphy on piano, keyboards and vocals, Don Sothoron on drums and vocals, Don Blair on bass and Gilbert Jory on guitar and vocals.The album was released in 1980 on their own Rascal Records label.
Unlike other American prog bands, which had a distinct US flavor, Polestar 1 were heavily influenced by the British Prog Rock scene and especially PINK FLOYD circa-“Wish you were here” with some references to YES and frequent dives into a more Hard Rock-oriented sound. The result was a pretty original sound with both sensitive and attacking vocals and tons of breaks, leading from spacey textures to heavier, guitar-driven passages. The sound contained changes between soft acoustic paths and GILMOUR-like electric, spacious solos with the omnipresent synthesizers creating a cosmic and cinematic atmosphere. Their style included also some calm piano parts and light organs, but the later were much more pronounced in some harder tunes. These moments were highlighted by some excellent dual guitar work with complex moves, riffs and punchy solos in the vein of RUSH and contained some extended instrumental parts, based on the battles between the two guitarists. The longer tracks apparently were the more proggy as well, a combination of pounding electric leads, solid rhythms and PINK FLOYD-ian moods with the keyboard surroundings adding more refined music colors. Eventually the marriage betweem smooth lyrical parts, spacey soundscapes and mascular electric textures worked pretty well for this tight band.
No more info around the band members, my only knowledge is that guitarist/singer Dave Kirby passed away sometime in 2013.
Inventive Space/Heavy Rock with FLOYD-ian references. A CD reissue by the Mandala label has been launched. Good stuff despite its obscurity and warmly recommended.
apps79
![King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King [30th Anniversary Edition] (1999)](https://progworld.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/King-Crimson-In-The-Court-Of-The-Crimson-King-30th-Anniversary-Edition-1999-150x150.jpg)
