Stars

Stars were a superior electro indie band with an obvious love for bittersweet 1980s synth pop and indie rock. Then, in 2005, they plugged in their guitars and released the amazing Set Yourself On Fire, which stands up as one of the best albums of the decade. At once energetic, highly melodic and melancholy, Stars take elements from bands like the Smiths and the Human League without ever actually sounding like any one influence. Perfect pop songs for people who hate the current radio hits: "live through this and you won't look back."

Witty, pretty indie rock for the sentimental geek inside all of us is canada the new sweden?
the Montreal indie-pop masterminds in Stars can take their place beside fellow Great White
North invaders such as Metric, the Dears, the Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene, several
of whose members play in this band, as well. On their fantastic third album, Set Yourself on
Fire, Stars build cerebral torch songs out of boy-girl vocals, strings, synths, guita... More >

The perils of romance among the disaffected classes ("One More Night [Your Ex-Lover Remains Dead]," "Reunion"). (Grade - ***)