Stars - In our Bedroom After the War *
(Arts & Crafts international)

Another week, another Canadian Indie rock band. Ironically, I actually did spend several evenings this week pushing down bubbles under wallpaper so I am reasonably well prepared. This is the fourth record by Montreal based quintet Stars after the relative success of previous record Set Yourself On Fire. After the disappointment of The New Pornographers' rather limp Challengers, this album is actually something of a relief. Firstly, it was released over iTunes months before the vinyl or compact disc will be available in stores. This is a step in the right direction for music as far as I am concerned. Anything that helps kill off the compact disc as the de rigueur musical format. For too long have you reigned, oh bothersome shiny coaster. Take your eighty minute capacity and your plastic spindles. Your obsolescence is a step in the right direction. Take the mainstream high-street retailer with you. You shall not be missed.

The other relief is that the album artwork is a drastic improvement over the UK pressing of Set Yourself On Fire. I know this is petty and belated but I had to hold out for an import because the cover was a completely unnecessary shot of a topless woman clenching her breasts. I don’t know much about marketing but I can also tell you this band is good enough without pandering to the Mötley Crüe dollar. The final relief is that although this is another highly polished album in the vein of the recent Rilo Kiley and New Porn efforts, this one actually works. Stars were never reliant on the rock aspect of their sound and the slip into glossy electro-pop is complimentary. The use of keyboards is very central throughout, even more so than on previous records. Overall the tunes themselves are far more spacious but crucially the sense of song management is maintained. The word ‘orchestrated’ is bandied about more than strictly necessary these days but here you genuinely feel like these songs were meticulously layered from the ground up. This is certainly the biggest advantage of having a competent pianist and arranger like Chris Seligman.

Opening track ‘The Night Starts Here’ is classic Stars but they sound at once fuller, more confident than before. The biggest pull is still Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan’s perfect harmonies, though the use of this trick has become more economical. Whereas their peers have floundered somewhat on their push for mainstream acceptance, Stars have gone all out and brought in Kajagoogoo producer Joe Chicarelli. Nothing he does is particularly innovative but he fills this gentle collection of tunes with just the right amount of pop sheen. By being unashamed of their intentions, Stars have actually come out on top. The breezy lounge pop of ‘My Favourite Book’ pays off with dividends. It’s the kind of brilliant mix-tape fodder Stars have perfected over the years. Likewise, the funk lite ‘Ghost of Genova Heights’ is another departure that works surprisingly well. They even find time to kick out the jams on ‘Bitches In Tokyo’, which is one of the loudest songs they have ever attempted. It also has all the power and defiance that was missing from Challengers.

There are a few dodgy tracks here and there but overall I think there is more than enough to appeal to both Stars fans and the casual listener. Fair warning, if you don’t like processed instrumentation and meretricious pop music, give this a wide berth. This one is definitely the closest you can get to daytime radio friendly without a trip to the vomitorium. I can see this one making something of a splash and good luck to them. Stars obviously wanted to make a pristine pop record and for once they actually stayed the course. Aside to European readers - Do you remember The Beautiful South? If the answer is “Yes, I liked them a lot”, buy ten copies of this, your new favourite record. I promise not to judge you. Much.

Tommy Dski