Right out of the gate on this self-titled inaugural, Shooting Star brings on the schmaltz but gets away with it because the tracks exhibit so much heart. Most of these well-aimed cuts concern surviving and prospering. Expert musicianship propels this Kansas City sextet through the general rock heartland on a holy crusade. No one else could have made "Just Friends" so poignant yet positive. "Tonight" is most excellent, the violin creating a pop Kansas (but way cooler). The porch-swinger "Rainfall" recalls prime Poco, and "Midnight Man" burns better than the James Gang number of the same name. At the end of the rainbow waits "Last Chance," flat-out one of the finest songs ever -- kettle drums, strings, and guitars build to a crescendo that will bring tears. This song ties with "When the Levee Breaks" as the greatest album-closer of all time (nullified by the CD reissue, which adds the worthy "Wild in the Streets"). Shooting Star doesn't get enough credit.
Shooting Star
Shooting Star
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AllMusic Review by Doug Stone
Track Listing
| Sample | Title/Composer | Performer | Time | Stream | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3:47 | Spotify | |||||
| 2 | 4:39 | Spotify | |||||
| 3 |
feat: Van McLain / Gary West
|
4:15 | Spotify | ||||
| 4 | 3:59 | Spotify | |||||
| 5 | 4:47 | Spotify | |||||
| 6 | 4:40 | Spotify | |||||
| 7 | 2:51 | Spotify | |||||
| 8 | 3:38 | Spotify | |||||
| 9 | 4:45 | Spotify | |||||
| 10 | 6:52 | Spotify | |||||
| 11 | 4:28 | Spotify |
