Shapes Stars Make is an indie band from my favorite city in Texas, Dallas. (I live in Dallas, so maybe I am a little biased.)

  Michael Gooden and Jon Cook decided to change their musical directions when they came up with idea for Shapes Stars Make. Michael Gooden started off writing songs in a Waco, Texas while he was in college. Well, what do you expect the football team was not winning games and I am not sure the basketball team was at the level they are now. Anyways back on subject, Michael recruited his good friend Jon Cook to come alongside and help him write good music. They wrote some post-rock worship music which was excellent. They have a way of really connecting with the soul of the listener. I remember when I first heard a Michael Gooden sing, I was like wow! My soul was humming along with him. Well after some long deliberation Michael and Jon decided to head in a new direction.

   Shape Stars Make was formed in 2007. The beautiful music creation of Michael and Jon is still there just under a different name. In the summer of 2008 they found their drummer, Zach Edwards, who completed the circle for SSM. The threesome began arranging new material and writing songs for their debut full length album.

     SSM in 2009 singed with San Diego based label, Dreamt Music. The label name is very fitting for this band. In the fall of 2009 they went into the studio with John Congleton on their debut endeavor. SSM's first full length album, These Mountains are Safe was release in Janurary 2010.

    SSM's debut album is very dreamy. Michael and Jon creatively wrote the songs, lyrically and sonically. The sound is raw with flawless creation. Dreams will be made in your sould when you listen to this album. The songs on These Mountains are Safe takes you on a beautiful journey of harmonics and beats. The lyrics are refreshing as always from Michael and Jon. There are lots of small and big textures that produces a grand gesture of beautiful music. They stepped out of the box. They held back nothing. You can tell when listening to these songs they were true to themselves instead of writing something to just sell albums. I give them Kudos for that. The song "Sunrise" starts off with a bunch of cymbals clashing in a very mesmerizing state that leads to the beauty of the guitar melody when it comes in. It really paints a sunrise to me. The cymbols represent the sun rising and the melody kicks in it is like sun has risen for us to enjoy the rest of the day. Now take the song "The Calm." It starts off with some low guitar textures that lead right into the melody of Michael's angelic voice. You get a sense of calmness when you listen to this song. Like I said before this album takes in your soul and carries you to a place of hope and life.

I really like this album and I think you will too. Go and check it out.

The Band Is:

Michale Gooden
Jon Cook
Zach Edwards

These Mountains are Safe - Track List

1. Giant Bird
2. Le Dodici
3. (We Are) The Hurting
4. Be Gentle, Young One
5. Sunrise
6. Fireflies and Lights
7. The Calm
8. And The Sky Opened

Shapes Stars Make - "Let it be Morning" - Live

www.shapesstarsmake.com