Thursday, December 20, 2012

13) The North - Stars (TOP 20 OF 2012)










The North

Stars
Soft Revolution Records.

SCQ Rating: 81%

Wait – I’ve been full-on ignoring Stars for something like six years. So how did this come about? (1) “The Theory Of Relativity”, a super-tight disco-groove of an opening track that convinced me to purchase the CD - again... - for my wife. (2) The glossy veneer and explosive sentimentality of single “Hold On When You Get Love And Let Go When You Give It”, calling to mind the band’s previous high watermark Set Yourself On Fire. (3) A series of atmospheric rockers (“Backlines”, “Through the Mines”, “A Song Is a Weapon”) that over routine drives through the city kept the disc firmly in our car stereo. And (4) lovesick deep cuts (“The Loose Ends Will Make Knots”, “The 400”) that resound as if playing through a neighbour’s wall, making plain the case that The North is the most assured and fulfilling Stars record since most casual fans stopped caring. As a former member of that group, I can attest: now’s a great time to get reacquainted. 


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