Starflyer 59 Returns With 'Lust For Gold' Reminiscent of Their Old Silver & Gold Days

Yes, we can all use some good shoegaze, as Christians. As they say, "Humility is the cultivating of the soul under God." And especially in the fame and fortune-filled southern California rock'n'roll scene, a band like Starflyer 59 can offer a good smack in the face. They've been around since 1994, creating some of the most powerful, creative work there is, and they still get no recognition from the Christian rock industry.

Lust for Gold does not deviate from this tried & true message, that humility is good for the soul. Additionally, the powerful wall of sound returns, but not in such an overwhelming way. It feels more purposeful, and thematically relevant.

The song "My Lungs," for example, gives us a good hint that a feedback loop may be forthcoming. Guitars lead, and so does the overwhelming sonic crunch, but it never overwhelms the song structure, nor the rhythm, nor the vocals.

An even bigger giveaway to Jason's newly acquired self-control within this shoegaze-sound-wall is the fact that, unlike the classic example of his potential for powerful song-ending ferocity, "A Housewife Love Song," this newfound balance stands apart. If you listen to the end of that classic example, it shines with overwhelming (uncontrolled?) feedback.

And yet, it is controlled. It only appears not to be when you get lost in the beauty of it, just as you might in the blended pointillism of a Van Gogh, Seirat, or Cross painting, or the beautiful mysterious mist found in a Monet painting. These are great works that often could not be sold for 1000 francs in their day. Today, they are considered priceless.

In the history of American and particularly British rock, if Paul McCartney's guitar gently weeps, Jason Martin's wails and bitterly moans for new beginning. Pain and suffering loudly come forth from oft-disappointment and broken relationships. But even greater than loss, SF59 represents a longing for something new, beautiful, and even sexy, to come into the Christian music scene. Is this not a good thing if done with a good heart and with purity and holiness in God?

This is what Christian artists teach the wayward ignorant parts of the church. God's creative genius can then, speak through us. And speak through the way we live our lives. Not to offer social virtue to the crowd, but to offer ourselves directly to God.

Just listen to "Messed Up Over You" from The Gold Album, circa 1995 and tell me I'm incorrect.

Jason Martin asks all of us to re-evaluate our own pre-conceived notions of what good art is, and asks us to sometimes be messy, even presumptuous at times. We must ask ourselves the question, if done in the right Spirit, can we not seek something beautiful for ourselves and for others? Is this too much to ask for Christian art to be beautiful? Purposeful? Powerful?

It is what He made us to be. And deep down we all know it.

Just listen to the wall of sound in tracks found in both the Silver and the Gold albums of 1994 & 1995. Particularly, the previously mentioned tracks, as well as Duel Overhead Cam, Stop Wasting Your Whole Life, Messed Up Over You, all from the Gold album from 1995, and Blue Collar Love, Sled, and The Zenith, from the Silver album (1994). From the beginning of Jason Martin's (now) 30 year career he has defied the conventional works of the day, and yet settled upon an indisputably beautiful sonic-scape.

With this indisputable beauty how can he be humble? And yet he is. He continually gives that message in his work. How can we, except that we let God humble us, as we listen to Him. So we let Him, for if we do not humble ourselves, He will humble us Himself.

I fear for those of us who do not humble ourselves. Whether we be in popular Christian music, or the popular art movements around the world. Let Him be the master of your work, because in doing this, truth, beauty, and love spring forth, and therefore, this work endures forever. But those of us who rely upon human applause and human approval, will not necessarily gain God's approval.

Their work may never be remembered again.

But I will always remember SF59.

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