The new album from My Raining Stars reveals that not only is Thierry Haliniak a superb mimic of Eighties and Nineties jangle-rock, he's also a pretty fine songwriter. 89 Memories is called that for a reason, I think, as parts of the Shelflife Records release made me think of things I held close to my heart in that era. But, luckily, it stands on its own as a fine LP.
"If You", for example, pulls from both The House of Love and New Order, but the resulting synthesis is pretty solid, with a lot of energy on offer here. Elsewhere, the more languid "The Way Things Turn" has a vibe that's both Ride and Oasis, a bit, though it's also in line with some of the more spacious Field Mice numbers. This is throwback indie, certainly, but Thierry keeps things compelling here. "From the Day She's Gone", a real highlight, melds all the disparate influences behind this group's sound into something propulsive and catchy. There's something distinctive throughout 89 Memories about the way Thierry blends C86 DIY elements with hooks that are aiming for something bigger. Fans of that era should find lots to love here.
89 Memories is out now, with more details below.