The debut from this international quartet just might be the antidote to our presidential dilemma, the Mideast crisisΓÇöand just about any other stress-inducing situation you can think of. Mixing the breezy, British pop of bands like Everything But The Girl with the sonic mindset of Saint Etienne, principal members Torquil Campbell and Chris Seligman have fashioned something of a dark, romantic concept record.
Beginning with the percolating, electronic groove of "Counting Stars On The Ceiling," the tunes are framed by lilting melody lines and creative drum tracks with various muted keyboards, violin and trumpet lines (and very few guitars) filling in the middle. The easy, hop-hop pulse of "My Radio" places Campbell's half-sung, free association over soaring synth lines and those increasingly popular Burt Bacharach trumpet fills. Stars' inventive take on the Smiths' "This Charming Man" does more than just pay homage to its favorite band (and favorite song of its favorite band).
Over a drum loop that both straightens out and relaxes the song's original pace, Campbell whispers the verses, updating it and turning it into a track that fits in seamlessly with the other tracks. Just as impressive, subsequent tunes like the gentle "On Peak Hill," the wry, artistic commentary "Write What You Know," the pleading piano/vocal duet "Tonight" and "Liar," the dark tale of two psychos (dedicated to British singer/songwriter Momus) weave their own tale, create their own moodΓÇöbut stay well within the identity of the band. The disc closes with a pair of bonus tracks, "Toxic Holiday" and an alternate mix of "My Radio."
All recordings courtesy of Le Grand Magistery. All songs written by Stars; courtesy of Bock The Lay Music (ASCAP).
