Stars And The Sea - Boy Kill Boy

It is very true that as listeners, we only judge music on how we are feeling at any given time. We strive to find a sound or song to sum up our specific mind states and in the process neglect those that don't initially tick all the boxes.
Two years ago, this writer did just that. In order to combat a hazy dark period in life, the subconscious choice of deeper and shinier music was embraced; in the process ignoring some of the most exciting and soulful pop ballads of the last five years.
In 2008, Boy Kill Boy released the follow up to their hugley successful debut 'Civilian', with a more inspiring and passionate selection, 'Stars And The Sea', which unfortunately was to be the bands final album before splitting shortly afterwards. Upon first listen, 'Stars And The Sea' has that 'difficult second album' feel to it, with a number of tracks sounding vaguely familiar to the more significant singles from 'Civilian', but not as anthemic. This may be the reason why this album is often over looked, and unlike their debut, untouched by indie-clubs.
However, closer inspection reveals a deeper soul hidden within the tracks, which suggests a more focused direction for the Leytonstone band on their second outing. A re-occurring theme throughout the selection is that of regret and loss, shown most prominently in 'No Conversation', 'Promises' and the soul drenched closer 'Two Souls', which underlines the message of the album in its emotive chorus, "These two souls just can't be one, these two souls just can't be bound". Other tracks of note include 'Be Somebody', 'A Ok' and 'Rosie's On Fire'; all of which work as potential singles, if ever released, and all enforce the core emotion.
Another key element to this albums charm is the initially ambiguous title, 'Stars And The Sea', which in turn opens up a world of metaphors, including the subtle representation of the contrast between the band's pop like melodies, and the depth of the themes they describe.
In many ways, it is a great shame that Boy Kill Boy are no longer recording as it would certainly be an audible treat to hear musicality of this caliber again.
This would be the ideal opportunity, and indeed time musically, to rally a huge amount of support and demand for the band to reform and really shake up the dulling indie scene of late. But perhaps a less arduous task would be to simply listen to an album of such genius upon release, putting aside the absurdities of the outside world, and giving bands like Boy Kill Boy the support they need before it's too late. Heres urging everybody with good ears to immerse themselves in the soul of 'Stars And The Sea', and give the band the respect that they rightly deserve, finally.