"Star" is the debut studio album by the alternative rock band Belly. Released in 1993, the album showcased the band's distinctive style blending both dreamy, ethereal sounds with gritty rock elements. The album propelled them to new heights, gaining critical acclaim and commercial success.
The album was led by the single "Feed the Tree" which became their most successful track. Additionally, "Star" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 1994.
Produced by Gil Norton, known for his work with Pixies and Echo & the Bunnymen, the album embraces a layered, melodious modus operandi. The songs are vast and echoey, imbued with a sense of surreal lyrical imagery mixed with power and innocence, creating a unique soundscape.
Belly, a band formed in Rhode Island in 1991, is fronted by Tanya Donelly, a former member of the Throwing Muses and The Breeders. Their music often investigates dark themes with an ethereal, fairy-tale allure, but the album "Star" brought about a lighter, more melodic side to Donelly’s songwriting.
"Star" received wide acclaim and saw considerable success on the music charts, particularly in the UK where it reached number 2 in the UK Albums Chart. In the US, it peaked at number 69 on the Billboard 200, and was also certified Gold. The album's appealing combination of catchy hooks and abstract lyrics gave it a unique place in the alternative rock scene of the early '90s.
