New Music Monday 8/30/2010 'Stars'

August is on its way out, folks! Fall is on its way in!!! The latest 'Stars' album titled 'Five Ghosts' came out back in June, but I haven't had the chance to give it a proper review until now. One of my favorite albums of all time was 'Set Yourself On Fire' by Stars. I always get all nervous when a band I love comes out with something new because I am worried it will suck and I will hate it. Thankfully that was not the case with this new record!!!



'Stars' is an indie band out of Toronto. They are also members of the band 'Broken Social Scene' which just happens to be my brother's favorite band ever. And one of the other members of Broken Social Scene just happens to be Emily Haines from the band 'Metric' which just happens to be my favorite band ever. So I do love Stars because of their relation to BSS and Metric, but I really just love them because they are so great.



This is Stars' fifth studio album and it is everything I love about them and more. Pitchfork gave it a pretty lame review - called it boring and claimed that all the songs sound the same. I couldn't disagree more! This album is anything but boring and I think the way the record is mixed is genious. Each song flows effortlessly into the next. I mean, to each his own but shame on you, pitchfork with your crabby review. Stars has still got it going on in all the right places. They've still got that amazing, layered electro pop thing going on. Amy Millan's voice is just as beautiful as ever - in my opinion one of the best female vocalists around right now. Stars is one of the coolest bands around. Sadly, they are also one of the most underappreciated bands around. While their records have been highly regarded by lots of critics, their fanbase has remained small. Sad face!! You people don't know what you're missing out on!!! Listen up.....

'I Died So I Could Haunt You' Sheer musical genious.... lyrically and musically - I love this one!!!


'Wasted Daylight' - :)


'We Don't Want Your Body' - references to drugs and sex, but I think the deeper meaning is less literal.... like, propaganda - we don't want what you're selling...


'Dead Hearts' - reflection on people who have meant so much who have now moved on and are "dead" to her.... or so she thinks....


'Fixed'


'He Dreams He's Awake'


'How Much More'


'The Passenger'


'Changes' could have written this myself


If you've never heard 'Stars' before, this would be the album to start with in my opinion. 'Five Ghosts' is perfect for this time of year. I mean, with Halloween on the horizon how could you go wrong with a title like that? Trick or Treat??? :)