Stars - YouAreStars.com - 'The North' out September 4

The North Review

Here are our thoughts: wp.me/p2kytK-20S

What are your favorite songs on the album?

RE: The North Review

I love The 400... right now its hands down the best on the album.

RE: The North Review

I don't understand the need to compare Stars to Of Monsters & Men, it's not just you, I've heard this a lot lately and it really steams my carrots because of how basic the comparison really is. Both pop bands with male/female singers, sure, but not to blatantly bash on OM&M but the density and impact of what both bands sing about is just all the world of difference. Stars seem like they've seen it all and it builds a structure for them to work off of and a lot of "indie pop" bands don't really have that. Stars are just a pop band to me.

I like the review a lot, nice stuff but I really don't think any of it is uninspired. I think Backlines might be the weakest track for me but there's a lot of substance to it, a lot of substance to Theory too, and then the mighty title track. It's absolutely one of their fullest albums and I am thoroughly pleased with it all. Like I said before, not bashing you or anyone else, just offering up my take on it.

RE: The North Review

I don't find the album uninspired. That was a comment I had read prior to listening to the album, and I don't agree with it at all.

As for the comparison to OM&M, obviously stars came first. I'd like to see OM&M take a direction more in the line of stars. More varied song styles where they don't rely so much on "heys!" and clapping along.

I actually liked backlines a lot, nice rockerish feel to that song.

RE: The North Review

I love both bands, Stars and Of monsters and men, whom my brother got me into. Personally i will always be a bigger fan of Stars, they are amazing live, so much life and the two shows i've seen of their's are probably tied for my second favorite concerts of all time with U2 at Air Canada during the elevation tour. New cd wise, I love the north, some of the earlier songs such as "do you want to die together" and "a song is a weapon" and "through the mines" were slow burners for me, it took a few listens to get into. Which is o.k because fixed and several songs from heart were like that also, but have become favorites for me. I personally feel that "400" and "walls" are two of their best songs ever, period. I especially love "400" and the wistful feeling of loss and hope that it has. I'm hoping they come back to Rochester and Buffalo again, would love to see them again.

RE: The North Review

So I've never heard of Monsters and Men until this thread here and went to check them out. They sound nothing like Stars. The girls alright and someone I'd listen to but the dude in the band does nothing for me. Also they've only got one album and the music to the single was overshadowed by the video. Seems like a lot of marketing has gone into getting you to listen to them. I don't get it...because a guy and a girl sing back and forth theres supposed to be a comparison there. I'm not really seeing it, they sound like a one off Hot Topic band. Stars sounds like a pop band with depth.

This post was edited 255 days ago.

RE: The North Review

.because a guy and a girl sing back and forth theres supposed to be a comparison there. I'm not really seeing it, they sound like a one off Hot Topic band. Stars sounds like a pop band with depth."

Did you listen to the cd or just the one single that they have out? Just because they only have one cd does not mean they shouldn't be considered "musicians." As I said I much prefer stars to them, I won't sit and say that they aren't a talented band, because they are.

RE: The North Review

I posted a review on The Shirker, if you guys want to check it out that would be cool: theshirker.com/viewpost.php?id=1149

I love Backlines and Walls, really great album.

RE: The North Review

I never said they weren't musicians, I just meant that Stars has several albums multiple side projects from various members and have been together for over a decade as a band and Monsters have just started. Stars is approaching Human League territory at this point. The one song kind of grew on me after I played it a few times with out the video and I actually ended up getting the whole album. If I had to give a sound alike, the girl sounds a bit like Florence Welch and the guy sounds like the lead from JJ72. I just don't hear a similar sound between them and Stars though. After playing the Monsters album a few times it really didn't do much for me. The single was ok and Mountain Sound wasn't bad but mostly I wished the guy wouldn't sing on some of the songs. I mean when they come around for a second album I'll check them out but for me right now they have a couple of ok singles and an ok debut album.

RE: The North Review

Big stars fan... But this album kinda blows... really all these songs I keep waiting for the song to start. Its like they are all intro's or something. very sucky album. sorry guys I am very dissapointed. 4/10.
***edited***
Ok I've listened to the album again, and its growing on me. Its definitely different than the other Stars albums I've listened to. I need to give it more listening. I'll re-evaluate in a few days but it is getting better the more I give it a chance. I guess when I first listened it did not sound like Stars.

This post was edited 241 days ago.

RE: The North Review

I'm really certain you listened to the wrong album. It's their least cohesive album since SYOF, but it's their most consistent album since... Well... Ever. I don't understand how any of these songs sound like just intros. It's their shortest collection, but each song has such depth and textual variance. Even Backlines feels like it goes from point A to point Q effortlessly in just 2 minutes.

But yeah sucky is always a valuable critique.

This post was edited 245 days ago.

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