Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
Sure they look pretty and sound pretty and all, but is this Montreal-based quartet ever going to amount to much, you know in the course of "rock history"? Very likely, if their captivating third album, Set Yourself on Fire, is any indication. Vocalists Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell have never harmonized better together, and the whole keyboard-heavy band is at that delectable place where they transcend their influences. Great pop music is not about "originality" (nor has it ever much been); it's a passionate marriage of idea and conviction. Sure, you can still hear the mark of Beulah, the Smiths, New Order, Broken Social Scene and Super Furry Animals in their songs. But the group has never been as confident with their marriage of lush, exuberant dreampop and dark, clever lyrics as they are here. --Mike McGonigal

Album Description:
The third LP for this Canadian band, following their amazing sophomore set, "Heart;" a critical smash. "Set Yourself on Fire" is a self-proclaimed Sex, Death, & Robots record, with rich and ornate depths. Produced by TONY HOFFER (Beck, Air, Grandaddy, Phoenix).

Hey there! Just saw you [Stars] perform at the Shibuya Club Quattro. I have to comment on the insult that was made tonight towards Americans. Torquil...I will refer to you as: "that old dude wearing the white/cream blazer" Yes! America is south of Canada, yes we have our issues, and some people might even be FAT... but how dare you insult your FANS???
I am American, I live in Tokyo, not the United States.
You just lost a fan! How can you openly insult your FANS? If it wasn't for us you would be where you are today. Next time, Before getting all pompous and full of yourself [Old dude in the white/cream blazer], think before you speak.
Oh and BTW I'm american, I'm not fat, and I didn't vote for Bush...

Average Rating:

Rating: - Don't insult your fans Torquil...
Hey there! Just saw you [Stars] perform at the Shibuya Club Quattro. I have to comment on the insult that was made tonight towards Americans. Torquil...I will refer to you as: "that old dude wearing the white/cream blazer" Yes! America is south of Canada, yes we have our issues, and some people might even be FAT... but how dare you insult your FANS???
I am American, I live in Tokyo, not the United States.
You just lost a fan! How can you openly insult your FANS? If it wasn't for us you would be where you are today. Next time, Before getting all pompous and full of yourself [Old dude in the white/cream blazer], think before you speak.
Oh and BTW I'm american, I'm not fat, and I didn't vote for Bush...

Rating: - A rock record with poppiness
In many ways, a band like Stars, Broken Social Scene or the New Pornographers somehow manage to make very accessible records without feeling like they were recorded solely because they knew it would sell. Sure songs on this record are quite hooky yet you can instantly tell the difference between these songs or ones from say Good Charlotte or a Simple Plan. Stars last release before it got the remix treatment, Set Yourself on Fire is a very likable record and easy to sing along with and love, that is if you want to.

The album starts off with "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" with vocalists Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan trading verses before they come together at the end. This is an example of a song that gets in your head despite the lack of a proper "chorus" that repeats. "Ageless Beauty" was the big hit of the record and while musically it's quite basic, it's propelled largely by Millan's vocals which are quite ethereal in a way on the song. "Reunion" is another likable track largely sung by Campbell with Millan adding in some flavor. This is another one of those catchy tracks that will become a favorite over time. The rest of the songs are just as memorable although, some like "The First Five Times" aren't that stellar.

My absolute favorite track on the record and probably of their career is the album closer, "Calendar Girl". When taken at face value, lyrically it's very honest in that "life sucks but I'm trying" message and musically it's really 3 chords but damn if Millan doesn't sing it beautifully. When she sings the line "I'm alive" at the end, you're almost not sure if she's celebrating this fact or she's just pointing out the irony considering the subject matter: living without nothing special about it.

Like a lot of bands with duel vocalists, you tend to prefer one over the other (aside from everyone's fav Fab Four). In this case, Millan has one of the best female voices in rock today but Campbell, while no slouch in his own right, doesn't really have the emotive power Millan brings. Kind of reminds me of Oasis' Gallagher bros. with Noel being the more range-y singer but Liam being the most emotive. Granted, a lot of songs on here such as The Big Fight or Your Ex-Lover is Dead work for the trade-offs but when they're primarily Campbell-led, such as the aforementioned "First Five Times" or "He Lied About Death", despite Millan's additions, don't work as well.

All in all, it's probably one of the best records they've done and one of the better "pop rock" releases lately.

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Rating: - Smooth
It only took a couple of seconds listening to 'Your Ex-Lover is Dead' for me to decide that I needed to own this album. To be honest, that track stands out for its beautiful orchestration and tone. The instrumentation is well done, with a complementary mix of strings, brass, and your traditional band bits to create a beautiful, uplifting, and sombre tone.

Each song on this album is carefully produced to create a smooth tone which is mostly laidback and embracing. This is music fully imbued with uplifting melancholy.

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Rating: - Well It Is
This is a GREAT album if you like that sort of thing.

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Rating: - If only I could play the cello ...
I own every Stars albums and eps and I'd have to say they broke every expectation that I had before listen to this ... and this was only after the first 30 seconds of your ex-lover is dead.

Every song here is lyrically written with songs of love, passion, nostagia and hurt with a lush overlay of melodies. By the end of the album, you'll surrender and give yourself in to continual listens. This is the soft revolution!

You must own this album!

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Heart

In Our Bedroom After the War

Nightsongs

Boxer

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