An outlier in the history of rock and roll, the band was a unique blend between its pop influences (The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Kinks), its southern roots (Soul label Stax) and the esoteric personal tastes of its leader Alex Chilton (primarily jazz and classical). Today, Big Star is undeniably a cult band. Luckily, time did justice to this short-lived and extraordinary comet that crossed the sky of American rock and roll in the early 70’s.
The leaders of the band are a brilliant and somehow incompatible duet: Alex Chilton and Chris Bell (who left Big Star after their debut album, #1 Record, was released in June 1972). Chilton and Bell dreamt of being American versions of Lennon and McCartney. They concocted innovative and energetic pop tunes backed by powerful and tight guitars (such as the furious and chaotic sound of Dont Lie to Me).
The perfect power pop sound was polished with Big Star's second album Radio City, completely tailored by Chilton after Bell left the band. Although the sound is a lot rawer, its production perfectly translates each musical idea. In terms of harmonies, the album is close to perfection, far from sounding sweet and sugary. The first album is impressively eclectic, with the ability to weave gracefully from a fairy tale pop sound to brutal rock style. When it was released, the album received raving reviews but sales did not follow. Today, #1 Record is known as one of the most significant and influential rock albums of the 1970’s.
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