Who are the STARS?

"Really... come now, you do not listen to great bands who write creative lyrics layered over melodic guitars?" I asked. This was the end of a discussion I had with a new friend I had made. We were talking about music that she listened to, 'cause she did mention she watched the O.C.

That is the one thing I love about the show... It's not that the show have a great plotline, 'cause ths stories are half-baked in my opinion. The cast go about fumbling storylines past used in older angsty teenage growing up series like Beverly Hills 90210 and Dawson's Creek. And that Micha Barton is not exactly pretty... I don't really swing towards waifs. So it can't be the eye candy. Heck! I never really watch the show but I know about the existance of its brilliant soundtracks.

The O.C. is a hotbed of eclectic bands that make music that (unfortunately) falls through the U.S. pop charts.

Yeap! The O.C. has GREAT MUSIC !!!



My relationship the band, Stars, began after I heard an older single of theirs Stars - Your Ex-Lover Is Dead on the 5th O.C. soundtrack. Since then this Canadian band have released their third and probably greatest album, Set Yourself On Fire. The name is cool... and fits the mood of the songs contained within. Their lyrics really captures the bleak and the sadness of tortured love. Their dual lead Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan have haunting voices that drives in further the break-your-heart feel.



This is what NPR.org has to say about them...


'Set Yourself On Fire' with Montreal's Stars


The Montreal-based indie-rockers in the band Stars have just released their third album, Set Yourself On Fire. The album blends horns and striking keyboard effects to produce songs that are imaginative and melodic.


After first collaborating in New York City, the Stars quartet moved to Montreal -- a pattern followed by another successful act, the Arcade Fire. Stars became part of the eclectic hotbed of music that has spawned groups like the Unicorns and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.


Along with Torquil Campbell as a co-lead singer and Chris Seligman playing keyboards, Stars also shares some members with the Broken Social Scene, the Toronto collective that became an indie-rock phenomenon. Multi-instrumentalist Evan Cranley plays with the Broken Social Scene regularly, while Stars singer Amy Millan chips in. The two bands are even on the same label, Arts and Crafts.


The latest Stars release comes after 2003's Heart, an album that sold well in Canada, won critical acclaim -- but failed to take off in the United States. With Set Yourself On Fire coming after U.S. music fans have grown used to looking north for great bands, there's a good chance Stars will finally shine.