My Own Star - The Deal with the Snake (2024)
By Flork
From the opening moments of The Deal with the Snake, the Olomouc quartet gives subtle allusion and foreshadowing to what the listener might expect ahead. Yet the album is full of nuances and twists that dabble with the macabre and suspenseful (but still fun) melodies, including references to original sin and the ensuing Millenia of self-destruction that we humans find ourselves dealing with even today. And so, one can hear a lot of irony in the lead singer’s voice (who sings very well by the way) of people bargaining their lives with the Devil or God or whomever and whatever, as we attempt to outsmart our destinies and ultimate fates. After all, making deals is what many of us are good at, yet with no surprise that we are disasters at keeping good on our promises, since getting what we want far outweighs the debts we incur and create before and after any of our desires are fulfilled. And as I mentioned earlier that the album is full of allusions, this is evident from the first two songs Witch Hunt and Debt, where are references to making deals with or without the snake are mentioned, much like Eve did at Adam’s expense (and hers as well, but I won’t make any snarky “women” remarks at this moment as Mrs. Flork will undoubtedly be reading this review sometime this week on her news feed).
Released earlier this month, the first full-length album by My Own Star is full of good stuff, with heavy and light guitars and great bass lines. I am somewhat reminded of early Bauhaus and later Pete Murphy’s solo material, who also touched on philosophical themes and made a lot of reference to human failure and our own, unavoidable demise (we’ll never learn). And this is why I love this album, it’s like a resurrection of a genre that never quite got off its feet, but finds itself resurrected in 2024 and fits perfectly into the world today. I write this because it is hard to say specifically what the style of music is, whether it is metal, jazz, punk, or even just classic rock. So many of these elements are incorporated into the compositions, creating a chemical reaction that works beautifully. As I listen to Angels are coming Back and Accept the Dark, two songs that are catchy and enjoyable, in fact, like every track on the album, and now I suddenly feel transported to my own past so long ago, when I used to have hair and just one chin. And for a pleasant lingering moment, I feel good and crave more of this album. And cheese, as I contemplate Olomouc and remember the tvaruzky in the fridge I bought last week.
The majority of the tracks are all around 4 minutes or so, but they get longer in the latter half the album. And this is a good thing as none of it is tedious, but rather addictive. No Mercy is the longest, clocking in with just over six minutes of music, but it goes by so fast, even though the essence of this tune sounds like a slowed-down version of a faster version of itself (if that makes any sense). This is by far my favourite track with its myriad of twangs and pitches on the high notes and lingering resonation, as well as its moments of Jim Morrison-style spoken word, which is both sexy and soulful and sung in perfect English (no Czechlish detected whatsoever). And whoever the drummer and bassist are, man, you guys are the ultimate rhythm section. Just you two alone could play a whole show if your frontman and guitarist ever fail to show up to a gig. You two deliver a very bluesy and jazzy combination with a rocking end result that is refreshing to hear these days, since loads of music being produced these days lack true craftsmanship and talent (at least what I hear on the radio). This is evident on Lazy Mouth and The Key to my Soul, both of which are cool songs that roundup the album and confirm My Own Star’s rightful place at the top of the best bands coming out of the Czech Republic since the covid pandemic.
And the Florkster’s prognosis. Positive. Definitely a band to keep a watch out for, who I can imagine play equally well or even better on stage as they do in the studio. Oh, and so I don’t forget, the production and mixing are top-notch, with nothing added to prop up the musicians or songs themselves, since the band itself delivers a high-quality sound on its own. My earlier mention of feeling reminiscent and nostalgic of the past means attracting older listeners like myself, those who grew up in the 80s and 90s but listened to the rock albums of the early 70s, because we were old souls to begin with, much like My Own Star.
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