January 26, 2008

Stars-In Our Bedroom After the War


While this album has been out for months, the band’s tour is just kicking off. The album, quite simply, does not disappoint; Stars continues to shine with its eloquent originality. At times, however, 'In Our Bedroom After the War' strays from the cleverness that keeps the band fresh and on the cusp of the indie scene. Throughout, Amy Millan maintains her quiet, striking grace while in tracks like 'Life 2: The Unhappy Ending' and 'Barricade' Torquil Campbell borders on Broadway bravado that makes the album seem like its trying too hard. While gusto can be fantastic (Rufus Wainwright), Campbell’s enthusiasm comes off as desperate. This actor/singer is undoubtedly at his best when subdued. Perhaps this gusto is just misplaced on Arts & Crafts, the major Canadian indie label. Highlight tracks include the latest single ‘The Night Starts Here’ and the endearing ‘My Favourite Book.’ While ‘In Our Bedroom After the War’ mainly serves Stars fans exactly what they have come to expect from this Toronto-based band, tracks like ‘The Ghost of Genova Heights’ prove that there is more to be seen from Stars. Let’s just hope that Campbell finds an outlet for his stage calling before the next album.

Tour dates are:

Jan 26- Aberdeen @ Moshulu
Jan 27- Glasgow @ Oran Mor
Jan 28- Birmingham @ Barfly
Jan 29- London @KOKO
Jan 30- Bristol @ Thekla Social
Jan 31- Machester @ Academy 3
Feb 2- Nottingham @ Rescue Room
Feb 3- Sheffield @ Leadmill
Feb 4- Brighton @ Concorde 2
Feb 6- Amsterdam @ Maxx at Melkweg
Feb 7- Hamburg @ Knust
Feb 8- Brussels @ AB Box
Feb 9- Paris @ La Maroquinerie
Feb 10- Frankfurt @ Mousonturm
Feb 11- Kilin @ Gloria
Feb 12- Berlin @ Kesselhaus
Feb 13- Vienna @ Flex
Feb 23- Adelaide @ Laneway Festival
Feb 24- Melbourne @ Laneway Festival
Feb 26,27- Sydney @ Spectrum
Feb 28- Melbourne @ The East Brunswick Club
Feb 29- Brisbane @ The Zoo
Mar 1- Brisbane @ Laneway Festival
Mar 2- Sydney @ Laneway Festival
Mar 5- Osaka @ Club Quattro
Mar 6- Tokyo @ Liquid Room
Mar 7- Tokyo @ Club Quattro
Mar 19- Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
Mar 20- Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
Mar 21- Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre
Mar 22- Athens, GE @ Georgia Theatre
Mar 24- Birmingham, AL @ Workplay
Mar 25- Nashville, TN @ The Belcourt
Mar 26- Louisville, KY @ Bomhard Theatre
Mar 27- Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue
Mar 28- Madison, WI @ Barrymore Theatre
Mar 29- Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom
Mar 30- Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls
Mar 31- Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
Apr 1- Buffalo, NY @ The Traif

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