"Raising the bar for emotive, introspective songwriting, Benton Falls' luminous debut, Fighting Starlight, is all that great storytelling should be, while being surrounded by equally enchanting music. What I enjoyed most was the fact that the foursome did not sacrifice volume for intimacy, creating songs with lush, gentle segments suddenly shattered by bursts of intensity. Benton Falls also possess the rare ability to alter tempo with startling precision, as well as having a singer with a luxurious voice, resulting in masterful narratives of human nature's weaker moments. This is an incredible debut from a band that sounds as if they have been together for ten years. Find this one." - Jersey Beat

"Benton Falls' latest, Fighting Starlight, is one of the more creative albums I have listened to this year. It sounds as if every instrument is playing its own song, but when played simultaneously creates this matrix of music that is a creation in and of itself. It's truly inspiring to listen to this album and feel a connection with the band. The vocals are amazing as well. These guys know what it is all about. The detailed guitar progressions, arpeggios and scaling, combined with a bass rhythm that only compares in technicality to the guitars, is truly amazing. There is such detailed instrumentation but they're still able convey this laid-back feeling. I think that is what sets Benton Falls apart from the rest. I am letting you know now, Fighting Starlight is amazing." - Agouti Music

"Fighting Starlight from Benton Falls is crisp, clean songsmithery combined with a delicate simplicity and carefully crafted feel. With Michael Richardson's gently passionate voice rolling atop a bed of neatly constructed guitar pickings and taught rhythms, songs like Swimming With You is a near perfect slice of laid-back emo rock, while Sad Like Winter Leaves contains some beautiful guitar harmonics and a warm, organic vibe. Fans of cleverly articulated melancholia won't be disappointed." - Kerrang

"Fighting Starlight is one of the most powerful rock albums of the year, driving and complex yet emotionally charged. Driving guitars are complimented by melodic guitar work and powerful rhythms. With Michael Richardson's distinctive emotional vocals and the band's almost impeccable tightness, this could be one of the most accomplished albums in the genre, and that's saying a lot. From the first chords of All These Things, you get a sense of the melodic power-chord dichotomy of Benton Falls, as the song has bursts of guitar yet a more melodic, moving feel to it. The title track is quite the standout here, and Richardson shows he can scream as well as sing, which coupled with layers of driving guitars and crashing drums makes this song my favorite on the album. I don't think I can stress enough how tight this band is. The guitar is powerful and sometimes astounding, and Richardson's vocals fit perfectly. Fans of the more melodic emo style will love this, as will aficionados of a more straight-ahead rock style." - Delusions Of Adequacy

"On Fighting Starlight from Benton Falls, there is moving and melodic anguish that falls across your heart. The guitar slides alongside the deep bass, while the drums shift and catch on a beat, switching momentum into straight movement, and then back into a sly rock swing. Vocalist Michael Richardson keeps it all together, telling stories and sharing emotions like long lost melodies, all sad tales set to song. Each one is hushed and delicate, and then as you breath a soft sigh, they fly upward and shine like jet planes." - Big Takeover

"Fighting Starlight is the debut by Benton Falls, and the band's restraint and manipulation of the emotion they're creating makes for a powerful album. Benton Falls are pretty diverse in their style. There are moments which touch upon the enthusiastic drums and guitar parts thick on distortion to withdraw aggression from listeners, as well as some lighter, soothing pieces. The melodic vocals are second to none...gripping and contrasted sometimes by screams. I think Fighting Starlight captures the true essence of the style with several different sounds and emotions. It's one of the best all-around pieces of music on the market right now." - Punk International

"Benton Falls has a very straightforward and mellow sound on Fighting Starlight. Good musicianship and songwriting, the recording is notable as well. The album has a really clean sound, which is the perfect mix for Benton Falls' chill indie rock styling." - Punk Planet

"Benton Falls hit me hard when I least expected it on Fighting Starlight, and I was out for the count. The deep, intricate melodies gave me shivers as the sorrowful lyrics cut into my senses. I was hooked before I knew it, relating to the words and the sounds that came from the speakers. Benton Falls are one of the very few bands that you can actually feel when you're listening to them. The vocals project the deep despair while the moody melodies deliver the knock-out sucker punch. Tracks like All These Things, Sad Like Winter Leaves, Back To Nothing and Eudora are not only memorable...they're essential. Benton Falls remind us on Fighting Starlight that well crafted music is still a very powerful medium." - Punk Rock Reviews

"Fighting Starlight is a great record...Benton Falls harks back to that Deep Elm sound of immaculate indie rock that's as touching as it is rocking. The rhythms are steady and solid, with two guitars that play off each other beautifully and strike just the right balance between bare and thick, creating sounds that soar and soothe. But what really elevates this to a higher plateau is the vocals of Michael Richardson. His darkly doleful lyrics are refreshingly literal and are delivered through a voice that coats them with enough solemnity that it's hard not to feel a little sorrow at the stories being told. Benton Falls stand tall on the ground their treading." - Fracture

"Fighting Starlight, the debut from Benton Falls, is an intense ride through trance-like melodies of complex and bittersweet storytelling by singer Michael Richardson. This album is completely beautiful and experiments between poignant and emotional melodies to powerful and passionate screams. The extreme tightness and attuned rhythm of Benton Falls was quite the surprise when I learned that this is their debut album. What is it with Deep Elm Records? All of their bands are amazing, and Benton Falls is no exception. You can't get much better than this folks. Take a listen." - Punkhardcore

"Benton Falls definitely have a unique sound on Fighting Starlight. First, Michael Richardson has deep and embracing vocals...very different and fresh. Furthermore, the album's lyrical content can be very dark. No Hero is song about a friend on heroin which is very moving. Benton Falls are a very consistent band...even better, they are on one of the most consistent labels, Deep Elm who hasn't released one bad album this year." - United Front

"I think Fighting Starlight from Benton Falls is one of the top releases by Deep Elm. There's a bit more noticeable tempo changes in it and there are definitely more dynamics from the guitars. The more rhythmic pieces contrasted with the composed slower parts make them seemingly come at you with a blast. The distinctive vocals of Michael Richardson play a major role in these songs, and the guitars have a bit of whirliness and melody. People will adore this stuff." - Punkupdates

"On Fighting Starlight, there is plenty of facets of raw emotion and disillusionment for Benton Falls to explore. The guitar sounds hang in the air, whole, for a split second before dissipating. Nothing sounds extraneous or unplanned, and Benton Falls has picked up a thread dropped by bands like Slint and Retsin, particularly in the acoustic-esque Swimming With You and the sparse Sad Like Winter Leaves. However, they are more musical, and perhaps more eager, than those bands. This album isn't about tantrums and tearful fights; it's about weariness and seeking respite from life's inevitable emotional intensity. Fighting Starlight is actually a very gentle album, and it seems to steer you to a bed in a dark room where you might lie down and rest for a moment. It's kind of lulling, not unlike a lung full of ether might be, leading you to think hazily about painful things rather than actually focusing on them. Spend some time with Fighting Starlight and it will reveal its depth and earnestness, particularly in the lyrics, which find their way to the forefront of the songs. It's lyrics like these that are the very reason why people like me listen to emo in the first place." - Splendid

"On Emo Diaries 6, I noted that Benton Falls' song Tell Him was one of the standout tracks on the disc. It's a strangely touching song and Michael Richardson's vocals are consistently engaging. From one song's strength, it seemed that any further effort by Benton Falls would be worth checking out. Enter Fighting Starlight, the debut album from Benton Falls on Deep Elm. And, as these things go, I can't say I'm disappointed in any way. This Santa Rosa, California foursome has released an impressively tight and effective debut that is certainly worth checking out. Impressively dense, never sloppy, and well-crafted, the songs here are compact slices of emotion that fit right into the indie/emo brand of power rock underpinned by sentimentalism." - Pop Matters

"What is most important to note on Fighting Starlight is how much Benton Falls rocks! The vocals are deep and impacting, almost on par with the thud coming from the bass drum, which is rather mighty in its own right. The tunes have a lot of bounce and the production keeps thing moving along, even when the pace crawls to a near standstill. Driving rhythms and soothing bass lines allow Fighting Starlight to feel extremely smooth. Nothing ever appears to be disjointed or out of place. Michael Richardson's glorious vocals are mesmerizing...this guy can wail. Benton Falls excels in lyrics as much as they do in songwriting...every tune a carefully crafted story, each more poignant than the next. Sad Like Winter Leaves left me feeling hollow inside, as if all my sorrows were nothing in comparison to the person mentioned in the song. No Hero, a track about someone you look up to falling prey to heroin addiction, made me shudder with its up front anguish. Deep Elm is one of the most consistent labels out there in releasing new, creative and original sounding music, and Benton Falls ranks up there with their best, no doubt whatsoever." - Pastepunk

"Lift your weary heads and smile the bleakest grin you can, because Benton Falls has risen to take the introspective and heartfelt banner left behind by Cross My Heart. With songs on Fighting Starlight about heroes on heroin and the facade of pleasantries at high school reunions, Benton Falls hits upon those poignant moments that define our lives. The music is fluent and dark, so much that one might be able to slip past the edgy lyrics if they dared...but they'd be making a big mistake in doing so. Feel free to lock yourself in your room, turn off all the lights and soak in the depression and sorrow...this album was made for those introspective moments we feel when life hits us hard. With many of the songs on here being over five minutes, yet never being redundant, Benton Falls gives the fan their money's worth. Upon receiving this, I had a premonition I might enjoy it. I most certainly do." - Action Attack Helicopter