― cutty (mcutt), Thursday, 7 October 2004 10:00 (8 years ago) Permalink
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 8 October 2004 19:53 (8 years ago) Permalink
― cutty (mcutt), Friday, 8 October 2004 20:13 (8 years ago) Permalink
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 8 October 2004 20:14 (8 years ago) Permalink
― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 8 October 2004 20:15 (8 years ago) Permalink
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 8 October 2004 20:25 (8 years ago) Permalink
― cutty (mcutt), Friday, 8 October 2004 20:36 (8 years ago) Permalink
― cutty (mcutt), Friday, 8 October 2004 20:38 (8 years ago) Permalink
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 8 October 2004 20:44 (8 years ago) Permalink
when her voice starts in that first song, you just MELT.
― cutty (mcutt), Friday, 8 October 2004 20:51 (8 years ago) Permalink
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 8 October 2004 23:26 (8 years ago) Permalink
― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 8 October 2004 23:35 (8 years ago) Permalink
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 8 October 2004 23:50 (8 years ago) Permalink
― Simon H., Saturday, 9 October 2004 00:49 (8 years ago) Permalink
― cutty (mcutt), Saturday, 9 October 2004 01:09 (8 years ago) Permalink
― cutty (mcutt), Thursday, 4 November 2004 22:11 (8 years ago) Permalink
― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 4 November 2004 22:15 (8 years ago) Permalink
― cutty (mcutt), Thursday, 4 November 2004 22:16 (8 years ago) Permalink
http://www.arts-crafts.ca/stars/freedownload/
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 4 November 2004 22:22 (8 years ago) Permalink
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 4 November 2004 22:23 (8 years ago) Permalink
everything else is perfection. REALLY.
― cutty (mcutt), Thursday, 4 November 2004 22:25 (8 years ago) Permalink
― bnw (bnw), Friday, 5 November 2004 01:17 (8 years ago) Permalink
I'm hoping to see them live in a week.
― derrick (derrick), Friday, 5 November 2004 08:12 (8 years ago) Permalink
― B.A.R.M.S. (Barima), Friday, 5 November 2004 11:28 (8 years ago) Permalink
Still don't like 'he lied about death', though.
― derrick (derrick), Friday, 12 November 2004 09:12 (8 years ago) Permalink
― BlastsOfStatic (BlastsofStatic), Friday, 12 November 2004 14:18 (8 years ago) Permalink
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 12 November 2004 17:59 (8 years ago) Permalink
― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Friday, 12 November 2004 18:06 (8 years ago) Permalink
― bnw (bnw), Thursday, 18 November 2004 00:51 (8 years ago) Permalink
― the surface noise (slight return) (electricsound), Thursday, 18 November 2004 00:59 (8 years ago) Permalink
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 18 November 2004 02:21 (8 years ago) Permalink
this band is magic.
― cutty (mcutt), Thursday, 18 November 2004 02:22 (8 years ago) Permalink
― cutty (mcutt), Thursday, 18 November 2004 02:23 (8 years ago) Permalink
― phil-two (phil-two), Thursday, 18 November 2004 02:25 (8 years ago) Permalink
― cutty (mcutt), Thursday, 18 November 2004 02:26 (8 years ago) Permalink
In other news I just found out there is a video for "Elevator Love Letter" and that MuchMusic has been playing "Ageless Beauty"!
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 18 November 2004 02:33 (8 years ago) Permalink
I think "your ex lover is dead" and "reunion" and "the first five times" are my immediate faves. It's definitely more rambunctious then Heart. (I quietly and selfishly hope they never get too political.)
― bnw (bnw), Thursday, 18 November 2004 03:21 (8 years ago) Permalink
come on spencer. admittedly, stars is kinda gay
― phil-two (phil-two), Thursday, 18 November 2004 03:28 (8 years ago) Permalink
― cutty (mcutt), Thursday, 18 November 2004 05:38 (8 years ago) Permalink
― derrick (derrick), Thursday, 18 November 2004 06:26 (8 years ago) Permalink
― bnw (bnw), Thursday, 18 November 2004 15:40 (8 years ago) Permalink
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 18 November 2004 18:44 (8 years ago) Permalink
― earinfections (Nick Twisp), Tuesday, 23 November 2004 22:15 (8 years ago) Permalink
― 57 7th (calstars), Tuesday, 23 November 2004 22:21 (8 years ago) Permalink
― 57 7th (calstars), Tuesday, 23 November 2004 22:24 (8 years ago) Permalink
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Tuesday, 23 November 2004 22:26 (8 years ago) Permalink
― daavid (daavid), Tuesday, 23 November 2004 22:29 (8 years ago) Permalink
― cutty (mcutt), Tuesday, 23 November 2004 22:30 (8 years ago) Permalink
anyway, here's a pic of some geek who met Torquil in Montreal last weekend! (photo credit: felicity redwell. Torque said they'd be in the nyc come march.
― bnw (bnw), Wednesday, 22 December 2004 15:00 (8 years ago) Permalink
Fantastic performance of "Fixed" on Jimmy Fallon a couple of nights ago. The bit towards the end where Torq joins in on "it's not your fault" is *so* great.
― Bill A, Sunday, 30 May 2010 19:12 (3 years ago) Permalink
they are on vagrant now in the US. can't wait.
― cutty, Sunday, 30 May 2010 19:16 (3 years ago) Permalink
whoa, we don't want your body!
― cutty, Sunday, 30 May 2010 19:22 (3 years ago) Permalink
Oh, that is fucking aces - I've been all over that p'fork stream like a tramp on a kipper since James posted it.
Pre-ordered the regular CD & digital download of The Five Ghosts from their website yesterday as well, I figure I'd rather give them the cash direct.
― Bill A, Sunday, 30 May 2010 19:29 (3 years ago) Permalink
"Fixed" is OK, but "We Don't Want Your Body" is one of the worst songs I've heard in a long time.
― Simon H., Sunday, 30 May 2010 20:40 (3 years ago) Permalink
ha, yr a dick!
― cutty, Sunday, 30 May 2010 21:52 (3 years ago) Permalink
i'm just now listening to set yourself on fire -- i really like it!!
― Aspergers Makes My Pee Smell Funny (Eisbaer), Sunday, 30 May 2010 21:58 (3 years ago) Permalink
i know, behind the times LOL
never too late for a classic
― Nhex, Sunday, 30 May 2010 23:00 (3 years ago) Permalink
Eisbaer, you'll probably like Heart too. "Elevator Love Letter" and "Look Up" are two of the best songs of the last decade.
― Lostandfound, Sunday, 30 May 2010 23:23 (3 years ago) Permalink
Was in the Apple Store here in MTL today and noticed that Stars are playing an instore gig there tonight.
― sofatruck, Monday, 31 May 2010 00:08 (3 years ago) Permalink
Heart was playing in a drugstore last week and it made me stop in my tracks. That album sounds good!
― ◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝ (Ówen P.), Monday, 31 May 2010 07:48 (3 years ago) Permalink
I mean, I listened to it when it came out and enjoyed it but filed it away. But the production on it sounds really, really beautiful.
― ◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝ (Ówen P.), Monday, 31 May 2010 07:51 (3 years ago) Permalink
nb: i listened to heart -- and yes, it gets my seal of approval!
:D
― No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (Eisbaer), Tuesday, 1 June 2010 03:03 (3 years ago) Permalink
"We Don't Want Your Body" is one of the best songs of the year!
― Spencer Chow, Friday, 4 June 2010 18:59 (3 years ago) Permalink
YO SPENCER!!
― cutty, Friday, 4 June 2010 19:08 (3 years ago) Permalink
Another song - Wasted Daylight - from the new album is at http://www.myoldkentuckyblog.com/?p=5670
― James Mitchell, Tuesday, 8 June 2010 17:29 (3 years ago) Permalink
― No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (Eisbaer)
:)
― Lostandfound, Wednesday, 9 June 2010 22:05 (3 years ago) Permalink
Ówen, yes, the production on Heart is exceptional.
― Lostandfound, Wednesday, 9 June 2010 22:06 (3 years ago) Permalink
ooooook this is fucking amazing. swoon.
― cutty, Sunday, 13 June 2010 20:05 (3 years ago) Permalink
The Five Ghosts is now streaming at npr.org.
― James Mitchell, Monday, 14 June 2010 08:57 (3 years ago) Permalink
Also in other, less legal places.
― James Mitchell, Monday, 14 June 2010 08:58 (3 years ago) Permalink
jams mitchell, i kiss u
― johnny crunch, Monday, 14 June 2010 10:59 (3 years ago) Permalink
ya thx dude
― Nhex, Monday, 14 June 2010 12:59 (3 years ago) Permalink
the passenger & wasted daylight & fixed are the highlights 4 me
also, i think i want the end of fixed w/ "is it your faaaaaaahhuuult" as my ringtone cuz it sounds like "is it your phoooo-ooh-oohone" 2 me
― johnny crunch, Friday, 9 July 2010 12:08 (2 years ago) Permalink
really enjoying bonus track "The Black House, the Blue Sky (Stars vs. Montag)"
― cutty, Friday, 9 July 2010 12:46 (2 years ago) Permalink
Yeah, it's a peach. Of the stuff I'd not already heard, "I Died So I Could Haunt You" is current favourite - Amy's verse into the chugging bass of the chorus is stupendous.
As a whole, I really like the album with a couple of reservations: I never thought I'd say this, but there's almost *too* many vocals from Amy, or at least not enough tracks where she shares duties with Torq - I love their voices together (almost as much as those of Alan and Mimi from Low), and The Five Ghosts is bit light on that kind of interplay. My only other problem is that the production (in parts) feels a bit too dense for Stars compositional and arranging skills to shine. It seems odd, because Tom McFall did an incredible job on Set Yourself On Fire, but this time the songs don't have that space in them - fully recognise this might be an artistic decision.
That's the nitpicking done. It's Stars and I fucking love them. Now I just wish they'd get some proper UK dates on the tour list.
― Bill A, Friday, 9 July 2010 13:53 (2 years ago) Permalink
anyone fuck w/ memphis? they have a new album out that im liking on first few listens...tbf id probably like/listen to anything torquil sang on
― johnny crunch, Friday, 11 March 2011 18:41 (2 years ago) Permalink
didn't know about that, will check out.
― Nhex, Friday, 11 March 2011 23:27 (2 years ago) Permalink
Rapidly becoming enormously fond of here comes a city. It felt a bit slight initially, and there's a handful of filler, but the good stuff is wonderful, esp. "Apocalypse Pop Song", "I Want The Lights On After Dark" and (current favourite)"I Am The Photographer". Perfect music for breezy spring days, it's getting many replays when I'm commuting / walking about / procrastinating at work etc.
― Bill A, Monday, 9 May 2011 12:31 (2 years ago) Permalink
sounds worth a try!
― Nhex, Monday, 9 May 2011 17:26 (2 years ago) Permalink
geez, that's what i said 4 months ago.
― Nhex, Monday, 9 May 2011 17:27 (2 years ago) Permalink
their last one, a little place in the wilderness is def worth checking out also; same hit or miss quality but there are some killer, beautiful songs
― johnny crunch, Tuesday, 10 May 2011 00:26 (2 years ago) Permalink
new demos album out, mostly songs from in our bedroom after the war & a few from the 5 ghosts - streamable here:
http://www.thebedroomdemos.com/secretshow/streamthealbum/
Moments have their moments.
In the big deep winter of Montreal, 2006, STARS were drunk.
Two years had been spent carousing the globe, with 'Set Yourself On Fire' in their hands. Home again, they drove the van to a neighbourhood studio to play through some songs they were already planning to record again - in the future, all the way across the tundra, months later - in sun-addled British Columbia.
But the snow was still down in Montreal.
As can happen, these first recording sessions for what was to become 'In Our Bedroom After The War' lay claim to a particular beauty that would shift and differ thousands of miles away, months in the future, in Vancouver.
The studio was Breakglass, run by a dear friend named Jace Lasek, of the band The Besnard Lakes. At that time still a shitbox construction site on the north side of Montreal, Breakglass afforded STARS a refuge from the road, and a steady windowsill to pile up wine bottles. The songs came in bursts, were tracked quickly, given working titles like 'Flack' and 'Fuck U I Love You' and stored one by one in the hallway with the other boxes of tapes. Minds were lost, found again; arguments claimed teeth and nails - love got spit and wrangled back. The band once more became a band and pulled verses from the fumes, bridges from beneath their feet.
From the final, west coast version of the album, only one song, 'Midnight Coward' was not demoed in Breakglass. The others spilled forward. Torq sings both his and Amy's parts in 'Personal.' Evan plays guitar solo after guitar solo. Amy finds new lyrics in every next take. Chris holds the throughline, Patty plays the drums of his life.
With chutzpah, the band moved camp to Vancouver and did the whole thing over again, once more into the breach. New sounds and parts were found, the record was made and released, but something remained on those shelves in Montreal on Rue Clark.
In the spring of 2011, much had changed for the band. Parents had been lost and made, homes left behind and built anew. On a break from touring their new record, 'The Five Ghosts' the band reached back and remembered an affinity with the Breakglass sessions – 'Barricade' recorded with one microphone, an epic solo on 'My Favourite Book'. Jace found the tapes, wine lined the windowsill for a weekend, and the demos finally found their way out of the studio.
Here they are, please enjoy.
― johnny crunch, Saturday, 11 June 2011 13:16 (2 years ago) Permalink
thanks, didn't know about this at all
― Nhex, Saturday, 11 June 2011 13:34 (2 years ago) Permalink
huh, it's split into an explicit and non-explicit version on itunes? weird
― Nhex, Saturday, 11 June 2011 14:00 (2 years ago) Permalink
New one The North is slowly burning its way into my goods books, which has been the story of Stars for me every time. Especially love this, such a fantastic performance from Torq.
― that mustardless plate (Bill A), Tuesday, 18 September 2012 20:13 (9 months ago) Permalink
i have a chance to see them in a week but logistically it'd be a bit of a hassle. kind of on the fence about it.
― phantompenguin, Tuesday, 18 September 2012 20:23 (9 months ago) Permalink
I loved Set Yourself On Fire and played the hell out of it when I first got it, and still rate it now. I couldn't help but find In Our Bedroom After The War a bit of a disappointment, although its highlights for me are stellar: 'Take Me To The Riot' and 'Midnight Coward' especially. I remember liking The Five Ghosts more, but I haven't played it since it came out. Haven't heard the new one yet.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Tuesday, 18 September 2012 20:27 (9 months ago) Permalink
have you seen them before, phantompenguin? unreserved recommendation if not, they've been one of my favourite live bands for ages.
Heart and Set Yourself... are their most consistently great albums, although there's terrific songs on all their releases. I've returned to the last Memphis album a lot more than The Five Ghosts, but Stars never made it to the UK to tour that because of Amy and Evan's baby which was a shame (although not about the babs, obv) - I do find that some of their songs only really stick with me once I've seen them played live.
― that mustardless plate (Bill A), Tuesday, 18 September 2012 21:32 (9 months ago) Permalink
into 'theory of relativity', need 2 spend more time w/ the rest
― johnny crunch, Wednesday, 19 September 2012 23:32 (9 months ago) Permalink
Finally getting to the new record. Theory of Relativity, Hold On When You Get Love... and Through The Mines are lovely. Do You Want To Die Together is gross.
― Room 227 (cryptosicko), Monday, 26 November 2012 04:18 (6 months ago) Permalink
I hate to say it, but that song actually kind of ruined the entire album for me
― Nhex, Monday, 26 November 2012 07:27 (6 months ago) Permalink
I think I might have given up on this band. Set Yourself On Fire showed a HELL of a lot of promise, and lord knows they've got more than enough talent in that band to deliver the goods - but for some reason or other, they just haven't since.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Monday, 26 November 2012 14:20 (6 months ago) Permalink
Personally my favorite was In the Bedroom After the War so I've still got hope that they'll get it together again and make a solid cohesive album. Five Ghosts grew on me, I'm guessing The North will do as long as I remember to skip some of the bad songs (even Bedroom had "Barricade" which I couldn't stand).
― Nhex, Monday, 26 November 2012 17:56 (6 months ago) Permalink
Yeah, "Do You Want to Die Together" is, by some chalk, the worst song on the new one. Like the rest of it pretty well, and excellent in parts ("Theory of Relativity" is fuckin' amazing). Def. better than The Five Ghosts. Going to see them when they're in Manchester next week, pretty hyped tbh as it's been a good while since they were here.
― that mustardless plate (Bill A), Monday, 26 November 2012 19:08 (6 months ago) Permalink
Just revisiting upthread, Nhex did you ever get round to the last Memphis album? I still listen to that all the time, it's a real pearl.
― that mustardless plate (Bill A), Monday, 26 November 2012 19:10 (6 months ago) Permalink
Add "The Loose Ends Will Make Knots" and "The 400" to the list of songs I like; I was only halfway through the album when I posted above. Mercifully, nothing else on the record is as bad as "Die," but that still means that literally half the record goes by without leaving any impression on me. Still, after the disappointment of The Five Ghosts (speaking of icky Stars songs, remember "We Don't Want Your Body?"), this is mildly encouraging.
― Room 227 (cryptosicko), Monday, 26 November 2012 22:05 (6 months ago) Permalink
Bill: I did eventually get to it... It was all right, but didn't really hook me, it felt maybe a little too laid back? I should give it another listen sometime.
― Nhex, Monday, 26 November 2012 23:34 (6 months ago) Permalink
It is pretty relaxed in the main, I love Torq's lyrics on it though and some v. strong vocal work. It had an osmotic effect on me, various songs kept popping up on shuffle on my player and it wormed into my affections with repeated listens. Worth a revisit for sure :)
― that mustardless plate (Bill A), Tuesday, 27 November 2012 07:42 (6 months ago) Permalink