(CD) Stars – Sad Robots EP (2008) ****^
Tracks
1. Maintenance Hall, 4am
2. A Thread Cut With A Carving Knife
3. Undertow
4. Going, Going, Gone [Live] (Available for free download)
5. 14 Forever
6. Sad Robot
Stars is a Canadian Indie Pop/Indie Rock band from Montreal. Three of their members, Amy Millan, Evan Cranley, and Torquil Campbell, are also members of the Arts & Crafts supergroup, Broken Social Scene. Although they are known as “pop” and “melodrama”, their sound has recently shifted into more sound-heavy composition, with layers of sounds and a “wall-of-sound”.
I really love Stars because they are strikingly honest while appealing heavily to my love for nostalgia and the past. Nearly all of their songs are love songs, about being in or out of love. At the same time, they have some incredible deviations on subjects such as war and politics (“Celebration Guns” and “He Lied About Death” on their previous album), having HIV/AIDS (“Going Going Gone“), and more. They always have honest and effective lyrics which don’t come off as contrived or stuck-up. It is refreshing to hear music which is pop, but without the narcissism and self-centeredness of the radio’s Top 20.
The Sad Robots EP, their latest release, is a cross between their last two albums, one which was heavy on orchestral sound and layers, and the other which returned to their pop sound. It has a strong enough lyrical flow as well as an intense, atmospheric sound which you can lose yourself in. This is an album where you can just close your eyes and let it all wash over you. There is also some amazing contrast between the two lead vocalists- one male and one female.
Overall this is an amazing CD. My only complaint is that I see a little too much restraint. There is just enough craziness, but not more. There are times when I want them to break from the formula and just go wild like they have before.
****^
I give this album four stars out of five.
