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Stars
I first came across Stars on one of the many, many compilations back in my college radio DJ days. One of my fellow DJs had left a post-it note on the cover of the disc, proclaiming that his life would be complete and he could die of pure joy, if we all agreed to play a particular song. That song? The baroquely cool, instantly crushworthy "My Radio" by Stars.
Upon the third listen or so, I rushed out to purchase Nightsongs and whatever I could get my grubby little hands on, various EPs and collections and what-not. Nowadays, Stars have moved onto bigger and brighter things with the upcoming March 8th release of their third album, Set Yourself On Fire. (Sadly, Stars often stand in the shadows of Broken Social Scene, the critically acclaimed Toronto collective whose ranks include members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Metric, Treble Charger, A Silver Mt. Zion, Mascott, and, yes, Stars, as well).
Why love Stars? It's the more-precious-than-precious vocal interplay of Torquil Campbell and Amy Milan during "Heart" and their deliciously tempting cover of "This Charming Man." It's the slowly expanding orchestral swells of "Theme From The Stars" and the glorious anthem of "Krush." It's the masterfully romantic and sweet nostalgia of "On Peak Hill" and the blissful blending of sounds in "Set Yourself On Fire."
Stars are the sound of true love, just as it is portrayed in the movies, with grand gestures in taxis, broken hearts in hospitals, sorrowful eyes looking out windows, lingering glances across the dance floor, and tearful reunions on rainy street corners. Boy sees girl by chance encounter. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy loses girl. Girl comes back to boy. Girl dies a tragic death. Boy mourns. Lush, beautiful, orchestral pop plays as the end credits roll, and you always, always want more.
Some days, I think this band must come from another planet, sent by beings with far more wisdom and foresight than ourselves. Where else would these perfectly realized, majestic pop masterpieces come from if not from some otherworldly, super-intelligent race of beings who have graciously lent them to us in hopes of furthering the human race? Hyperbole, for sure. But I can't deny the supremely accessible, ultra catchy, nature of their music. Cheeseball as it sounds, I ♥ Stars unconditionally.
Stars - My Radio (AM Mix)
Stars - Krush
Stars - Theme From The Stars
Stars - Heart
Stars - Set Yourself on Fire
Stars - Calendar Girl
Stars - On Peak Hill
And download "Look Up" on The Big Ticket.
Official Stars site. Buy Set Yourself on Fire from Arts & Crafts or Amazon.
Posted by Queen of the Front Row at 02.15.05 at 2:33 PM
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