Released in conjunction with
UVS's second full-length (
Joy: 1967-1990), the
Staring at the Sun EP features the album track of the same name along with a few non-album goodies. "Crash," from the self-titled debut album, gets a reworking here with a more deliberate arrangement and improved production. "Three Stars (*** Version)" is a more aggressive and piano-driven take on the
Joy album track, and is, hands-down, the best cut on the EP. An interesting rework of the
Barry Mann/
Gerry Goffin, Brill Building staple "Something Better" also appears, and helps to prove that Kurt Ralske does indeed have a wider range of influences up his sleeve than simply
Lou Reed and Marc Bolan. ~ J. Scott McClintock