Send "Gringo Star " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Popmatters |
 Gringo Star lack the moxie to energate their '60s influenced popOn their debut full-length, Count Yer Lucky Stars, the band Gringo Star likes to take a simple ‘60s pop template and add some crunch to it. This is not a very original idea considering time and time again musicians have returned to this golden age of popular music for different sorts of inspiration. When done well it can be nice to hear the sweet sentiment, harmony, and jangle of ‘60s pop paired with some extra pizzaz, some new ideas, different production, or even just the addition of more guitar voltage. In recent years, think of the first Best Coast album or the best songs from the Dum Dum Girls, the Postelles, and Cults as examples of the successful melding of new moxie and occasionally harder-hitting instrumentation with old-school pop sentimentality. But unfortunately, Gringo Star do not succeed in putting together affecting songs throughout this release. The lead singer of Gringo Star sounds a lot like the lead singer of the Animals or the Seeds. “Come Alive” is the strongest nod to these bands, starting with a looming organ, pounding drums and guitar piercing through the background (though soon it transitions into a weird chorus that sounds like it was sung by a different band). Backup “oohs” and “ahs” abound on Count Yer Lucky Stars, and there are some nice organ touches as well. But pop depends on melody and catchiness, and none of the melodies here really grab you. The introduction to “Jessica” is the nicest thing on the album, with an easy bounce and precise guitar playing, though after the introduction, the song loses its momentum—it lacks a hook to follow through on that initial rhythmic rush. “Make You Mine” explores an age-old, ever-poignant concept of unrequited love with fuzzy power cords, but it leaves you cold and fails to connect to the almost universally identifiable sense of longing. You hear similar guitars on “Got It”, with its boring “Got it / You know you got it / You know you got it / I know you do” chorus over a shaking tambourine. It’s low on feeling and high on repetition. “Esmerelda” is ponderous and should have been left off the album....full text |
| Pastemagazine |
| Count Yer Lucky Stars, Atlanta-based psychedelic pop band Gringo Star’s first full-length album, continues the group’s amalgamation of classic pop and Latin elements heard on its debut self-titled EP. In almost every way, though, Count Yer Lucky Stars is bolder and tighter than its predecessor—it’s the sound of a band further developing a style that suits it, expanding upon its initial template and establishing the quartet’s unique musical voice. Gringo Star is composed of brothers Nick and Peter Furgiuele along with Pete DeLorenzo and Christopher Kaufmann, all of whom are talented multi-instrumentalists. As a group, they eschew the traditional concept of fixed instrumental roles in favor of trading responsibilities from song to song, often rotating between vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and percussion. The result is an ever-shifting, chameleonic ensemble whose musical palette mutates as much as their individual roles. The Furgiuele brothers, the main songwriters, display a knack for tightly wound pop melodies and layered harmonies that recall at various points everything from The Beatles to Elvis Costello to post-punk to salsa. Leadoff songs “Shadow” and “You Want It” are crammed with catchy hooks and energetic riffs, starting Count Yer Lucky Stars with serious punch. As the album unfolds, Gringo Star rarely retreats from accessible melodies and concise pop structures — the most the band allows itself to stretch out is on the DeLorenzo-penned “Esmarelda,” a slow-burning, Doors-esque highlight with a heavily Latin-flavored groove that also appeared on their first EP. While the streamlined nature of most of the songs gives Gringo Star a definite professional polish, it’s somewhat a shame they don’t cut loose more often and display their exploratory, psychedelic side as they do on “Esmarelda.”...full text |
| Thewildhoneypie |
| What Gringo Star (@gringo_star_atl) accomplish with Count Yer Lucky Stars isn’t necessarily new, but damn it’s good. The songs on their second full-length album ooze a motley mix of classic Southern and British rock with just enough of a modern twist to avoid the “vintage” label. The Gringos, brothers Nicholas and Pete Furgiuele, Pete DeLorenzo and Chris Kaufmann, all take turns with vocals and songwriting; a somewhat risky endeavor that ended up being one of the album’s greatest strengths. Thanks to the addition of impeccable production (done by the acclaimed Ben Allen of Gnarls Barkley and Animal Collective fame) this musical variety never strays to incongruous territory. “Shadow” kicks off the album with eerie, garage rock that creeps in, firmly implants itself, and gets your toes tapping. The song has an infectious opening guitar riff and perfectly displays the tight harmonies, catchy melodies and driving rhythms that carry through till the end of the album. The following tracks, “You Want It” and “Got It”, bounce off one another perfectly, each showcasing the Gringos ability to craft a song around choruses rife with pop hooks. As the album unfolds, influences are exposed from all over the map. “Beatnik Angel Georgie” is undeniably reminiscent of the strange, new pop music the Beatles were producing during The White Album and “Esmarelda” is part steamy Argentinian tango part American folk song. In a similar manner as the flow between “You Want It” and “Got It”, “Esmarelda” leads into “Jessica”, a song somewhere between 1950’s doo-wop and an Eastern European polka. The Gringos then bring it on home with “Light in the Sky”. Complete with guitars right out of your favorite John Wayne Western and a pounding bass line, the track is sure to make anyone want to whip out their boots and spurs. Their worldly influences are complemented throughout the record by the classic tone of their guitars and vocals. Songs like “Make You Mine” sound as though the guitars were recorded 30 years ago and the title track “Count Yer Lucky Stars” could be straight off of The Clash’s 1979 London Calling – from the guitar solos and the straight ahead drumbeat, to the way the vocals complement the driving piano instrumentation. However, unlike London Calling, Count Yer Lucky Stars is surprisingly positive. The lack of angst comes as a welcome relief and proves that not everyone needs a broken heart to write great music. This informed exploration of many different genres is actually what makes Count Yer Lucky Stars so listenable. On paper it may seem TOO eclectic, but the simplistic instrumentation of Gringo Star prevents the music from getting too crazy. They know when to give everything but the kitchen sink, but also when to reel it back....full text |
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