James Mack's Weblog

To date, I haven't really given any direct musical recommendations, despite the fact that I spend a lot of time searching for and enjoying new music. Perhaps I'm a bit shy, and don't really want to make too firm a stand for something that somebody else may not appreciate. Plus, I'm sure there's resistance to scribing this down with a bit of permancence, because I'm likely to look back in the future and think "I can't believe I recommended that."

Therefore, this post is a bit of an experiment. As part of the perpetual amorphousness that charactertizes this weblog, I'm going to go out on a limb and make my first recommendation in Stars' album "Set Yourself on Fire". I know it's cliche, but the easiest way to describe Stars to the unfamiliar is by comparing them to another popular indie band; Death Cab For Cutie. Like Death Cab, it's clean and mellow electronic rock set against vocals with an uncanny ability to stir emotions through subtle emphasis and suspense. The twist is that Stars sports both a male and female vocalist, and they play against each other quite reminiscent of Ben Gibbard's work on The Postal Service. It's catchy, fun, and well-executed, and I recommend it.

Something which isn't quite so out of place in this context is a mention of song lyrics. I'm sure a few of you will figure out why.


Stars-Your Ex-Lover is Dead

God that was strange to see you again
Introduced by a friend of a friend
Smiled and said 'yes I think we've met before'
In that instant it started to pour

Captured a taxi despite all the rain
We drove in silence across Pont Champlain
And all of that time you thought I was sad
I was trying to remember your name

This scar is a fleck on my porcelain skin
You tried to reach deep but you never got in
And now you're outside me you see all the beauty
Repent all your sin

Nothing but time and a face that you'll lose
I chose to feel it and you couldn't choose
I'll write you a postcard, I'll send you the news
From the house down the road from real love

Live through this and you won't look back
Live through this and you won't look back
Live through this and you won't look back

There's one thing I have to say so I'll be brave
You were what I wanted
I gave what I gave
I'm not sorry I met you
I'm not sorry it's over
I'm not sorry there's nothing to save
I'm not sorry there's nothing to save