I hate to come across as some SQ obsessed chump, but there's definitely something peculiar about either the production or the mp3 encoding on the downloadable version of this - on lots of tracks there's a kind of fluttery distortion in the background on vocals, and also during quiet moments; a good example is in the last couple of seconds of Genova Heights.
Has anyone else noticed this or heard it in their copies? Or is my tired old brane playing tricks again...?
― Bill A, Saturday, 14 July 2007 16:52 (sixteen years ago) link
Just wanted to say that I haven't heard the new record yet, but "Reunion" still fills me with unspeakable glee.
― Tantrum The Cat, Saturday, 14 July 2007 17:05 (sixteen years ago) link
Just dl'ed this off emusic...On Midnight Coward, Amy Millan starts the song off with "Sweetness, sweetness..." and I almost started singing "...I was only joking..." Unfortunately, she sang something else. But if she had sung that line, well, that would have been awesome.
Halfway through nothing's immediately grabbing me, but I can tell that with a couple more listens, this should be great. A fabulous grower. Oh, wow: the Ghost of Genova Heights!
― righteousmaelstrom, Tuesday, 17 July 2007 03:08 (sixteen years ago) link
Have just got a copy of 'Heart', having never paid any attention to this band before July. Am slowly becoming obsessed with them to the point of purchasing the entire back catalogue.
Apparently 'In Our Bedroom After War' gets a release in the UK on October 1st. I'm seeing them at the Scala on October 8th - can't wait.
― James Mitchell, Thursday, 20 September 2007 22:26 (sixteen years ago) link
http://cdn.stereogum.com/files/2010/04/Stars-The-Five-Ghosts.jpg
― just sayin, Wednesday, 7 April 2010 15:49 (fourteen years ago) link
Loved Set Yourself on Fire and In Our Bedroom After the War. Sad Robots, uh not so much. Still, psyched!
― Nhex, Thursday, 8 April 2010 11:48 (fourteen years ago) link
kinda liking this but it def. feels like a guilty pleasure.
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Thursday, 8 April 2010 12:22 (fourteen years ago) link
set yourself on fire is 1 of my fav records of the decade
― johnny crunch, Thursday, 8 April 2010 13:01 (fourteen years ago) link
Yeah, it's an amazing record and I *still* listen to it pretty regularly. I liked the Sad Robots ep ok, esp. "15 Forever" and the version of "Going, Going, Gone". There's a free download of "Fixed" from the new one:here.
Pretty good to these ears, although a little insubstantial maybe. Not had a chance to really blast it on the hi-fi yet, which might be the tipping point. Hopefully they'll bring a tour for The Five Ghosts to Europe, I find that seeing them live always bolsters my love for Stars all over again.
― Bill A, Thursday, 8 April 2010 15:10 (fourteen years ago) link
I really loved that "Going, Going, Gone" version on the ep
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Thursday, 8 April 2010 15:25 (fourteen years ago) link
"Fixed" is great, get chills from the chorus.
― Spencer Chow, Tuesday, 27 April 2010 23:05 (fourteen years ago) link
they turned down Owl City!
― sean gramophone, Wednesday, 28 April 2010 00:59 (fourteen years ago) link
If only more people would do the same!
― he's always been a bit of an anti-climb Max (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 28 April 2010 02:56 (fourteen years ago) link
uh... what?
― Nhex, Wednesday, 28 April 2010 03:01 (fourteen years ago) link
would I like this?
― admrl, Wednesday, 28 April 2010 03:37 (fourteen years ago) link
"Elevator Love Letter" is all about people who work too hard. In general, I think their lyrics are about urban professionals who find it hard to make real connections.
haha, I love this! Oh spencer
― admrl, Wednesday, 28 April 2010 03:39 (fourteen years ago) link
Can't believe there's not more buzz about this new album.
― James Mitchell, Wednesday, 28 April 2010 22:27 (fourteen years ago) link
You mean the album thats not out for two more months? Shocking.
― he's always been a bit of an anti-climb Max (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 28 April 2010 22:28 (fourteen years ago) link
Going to be a long two months. Can't wait for this.
― James Mitchell, Wednesday, 28 April 2010 22:51 (fourteen years ago) link
Pitchfork has a stream of the new single.
― James Mitchell, Wednesday, 19 May 2010 18:44 (fourteen years ago) link
In traditional fashion my lukewarm initial response to "Fixed" has turned into pure love. That new single is terrific too, thanks for linking.
― Bill A, Wednesday, 19 May 2010 21:08 (fourteen years ago) link
Oh yes...
― Blue Sky Whine (SeekAltRoute), Thursday, 20 May 2010 02:53 (fourteen years ago) link
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHR8EdOpK1w
― Bill A, Sunday, 30 May 2010 19:12 (thirteen years ago) link
they are on vagrant now in the US. can't wait.
― cutty, Sunday, 30 May 2010 19:16 (thirteen years ago) link
whoa, we don't want your body!
― cutty, Sunday, 30 May 2010 19:22 (thirteen years ago) link
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 (thirteen years ago) link
"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 (thirteen years ago) link
ha, yr a dick!
― cutty, Sunday, 30 May 2010 21:52 (thirteen years ago) link
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 (thirteen years ago) link
i know, behind the times LOL
never too late for a classic
― Nhex, Sunday, 30 May 2010 23:00 (thirteen years ago) link
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 (thirteen years ago) link
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 (thirteen years ago) link
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 (thirteen years ago) link
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 (thirteen years ago) link
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 (thirteen years ago) link
"We Don't Want Your Body" is one of the best songs of the year!
― Spencer Chow, Friday, 4 June 2010 18:59 (thirteen years ago) link
YO SPENCER!!
― cutty, Friday, 4 June 2010 19:08 (thirteen years ago) link
Another song - Wasted Daylight - from the new album is at http://www.myoldkentuckyblog.com/?p=5670
― James Mitchell, Tuesday, 8 June 2010 17:29 (thirteen years ago) link
― No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (Eisbaer)
:)
― Lostandfound, Wednesday, 9 June 2010 22:05 (thirteen years ago) link
Ówen, yes, the production on Heart is exceptional.
― Lostandfound, Wednesday, 9 June 2010 22:06 (thirteen years ago) link
ooooook this is fucking amazing. swoon.
― cutty, Sunday, 13 June 2010 20:05 (thirteen years ago) link
The Five Ghosts is now streaming at npr.org.
― James Mitchell, Monday, 14 June 2010 08:57 (thirteen years ago) link
Also in other, less legal places.
― James Mitchell, Monday, 14 June 2010 08:58 (thirteen years ago) link
jams mitchell, i kiss u
― johnny crunch, Monday, 14 June 2010 10:59 (thirteen years ago) link
ya thx dude
― Nhex, Monday, 14 June 2010 12:59 (thirteen years ago) link
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 (thirteen years ago) link
really enjoying bonus track "The Black House, the Blue Sky (Stars vs. Montag)"
― cutty, Friday, 9 July 2010 12:46 (thirteen years ago) link
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 (thirteen years ago) link
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 (thirteen years ago) link