Customer Reviews

Nightsongs

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've owned this disc for about a year now & it is still one of my very favorites, and I listen to a LOT of music. The songs are beautiful and hooky and spare and catchy and lyrical and gorgeous all at once. Best comparison would be the Smiths, but without the heavy instrumentation in many Smiths songs, and more universally contemplative than Morrisey's navel-gazing. Really Stars sounds nothing like the Smiths but you can hear the influence. Bought it after hearing "This Charming Man" on my local indie radio station & while that's an excellent song, the rest of the album is better. Do yourself a favor and try this on for size.

Although the genre this piece falls into might be somewhat vague, the quality of this recording is not. The album is an excellent work all the way through, with highlights being "My Radio", "This Charming Man", and "The Very Thing." This groups sound is new and refreshing. A mixture of the electronic and conventional brings us a unique perspective on modern rock. Their music's full of hooks and catchy changes that draw you right in and won't let go. There aren't very many albums I would consider artistically valid, interesting or innovative that end up being this catchy and attention grabbing. Lyrically the album is downcast; however, you the lyrics lose their depressing flavor in the midst of the Stars pop tone. The only disappointing track on this album is probably "Write What You Know." This is overall an extremely strong debut album, and a band to look out for in the future. You should seriously consider checking this band out. (and I should also mention they are great in concert.)

Stars' Nightsongs is a healthy taste of sonic goodness. The instrumentation is fitting and the some of the grooves are truly infectious. If I had to sum up the lyrical content of this disc in one word I would use honest. They do make the attempt to softly push the pop format beyond it's radio restricted boundaries and sometimes even succeed.

The female lead and backing vocals are delicious (ba bop bop baaa) and the male leads voice fits the tracks very well. If you enjoy reflecting on life while listening to music alone this disc will assist. It has a very secure spot in my listening rotation.

Highly recommended for discriminating listeners that enjoy emotion generating electronica.

This CD is full of style and lazy afternoon mellow. Or perhaps as the title suggests, very very late at night, when you can't sleep and you lay in bed listening to it, you'll enjoy the song "My Radio" (tell the DJ to keep it slow... on my radio). They do a cover version of the Smith's "This Charming Man" which is of note. Maybe you could compare this group to Alpha but a little perkier, more traditional songwriting. But that same "flavor". Male and female vocals, traditional and electronic instruments.

I love this cd. I first heard it on the internet at 3wk, and fell in love with "This Charming Man," a light blend of thump and melody spiked with a couple of nostalgic guittar riffs from the UK circa 1985.

Other strong tracks are "On Peak Hill," "The Very Thing," and "Better Be Heaven."

Every single Stars album for me is an easy five stars, even though In Our Bedroom After The War was a little bit disappointing to me. It was still a great album and as much as I love their other efforts, I don't even have to think twice about what Stars album is my favorite... because it's Nightsongs without a doubt.
The music is dark and introspective while still remaining fun and accessible. It's the perfect album to play on a rainy night.
This has got to be one of the most atmospheric albums ever created.

Completely Brilliant breathtaking hooks and lines
all throughout this entire recording.
From the shhhhh whisper quiet vocals by Torquil
on "This Charming Man" to the dance in yer chair song "My Radio".
This is one of my favorite complete recordings of the
year.I can't wait for the next one!

Stars - Nightsongs is one of those albums that just brought a smile to my face. The songs are sheer sweet melancholy perfection - blending electro 80's pop with modern instrumentation and hooks/melodies that begs for a sing-along. Some favorites are "On Peak Hill", "Better than Heaven", "My Radio" and "Very Thing". Get this album!

Bottomline, this is an excellent record. If you're in need of nifty melodic tunes, this album has you covered. The male and female vocals blend really well. I haven't heard anything like this since the Mojave 3's Ask Me Tomorrow.

this is the best record I've heard all year. Apparently these guys have just signed with a major and are working on their next record, but while I'm waitingthis beautiful collection of classic songs is more than enough to keep me happy