I saw Stars in concert several years ago in a cramped basement venue that reeked of B.O. It was a weird show; the ethereal quality of the band’s indie pop battled against the dark underground, the small space, the unpleasant smell. But when it played its breakthrough hit “Your Ex-Lover Is Dead” (huge at the time, thanks to its appearance on The O.C.), Stars literally shined through the darkness. The band soon followed that with a cover of Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart,” and all was right in the world.
Now, the Canadian outfit is back with its sixth LP, The Five Ghosts, out now on Vagrant Records. The first single off the album, “Fixed,” sounds like vintage Stars. The Jam of the Day? Not so much. It’s more Passion Pit or Yeasayer. I mean, you can dance to it!
It might not fit with the rest of the album, but I don’t think it’s meant to be taken that seriously. Sometimes relationship mourners and lost souls just need a break.
Listen to “We Don’t Want Your Body”: