Customer Reviews

In Our Bedroom After the War

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As someone that's been casually listening to Stars since the time of their release of "Set Yourself on Fire", I was actually initially hesitant to purchase this album. It was a long ten minute debate (yes, ten minutes is a long time to be debating with yourself) on whether I should buy "In Our Bedroom After the War" or just go with "Heart". I don't have either, and I've actually heard some of the songs off of "Heart", where as before buying, I had never heard a full song off of IOBATW. Anyway, I took a chance and purchased this. I have to say, I'm not sorry at all. In fact, I think I've found a new album to obsess over for a few weeks!

This album is a story. It has a very, err, musical feel to it. With each song, I can picture this ongoing story with characters expressing their point of views through singing. On first listening, it's good. On second listening, it's addictive ... which leads to third and fourth listenings!

The intro song, "The Beginning After the End" is a nice start. It's a nice beginning after the end. The song is a little short and doesn't have any lyrics (until the end), but it's a lovely, slow song that gives off a pensive feel.

Next is "The Night Starts Here", which I adore. I feel like this song belongs to a musical. I'm not even a big fan of musicals myself, but I can just picture this song belonging. It starts off very slow and low-beat, but then builds and ends up being quite catchy. I love the tones to Amy's voice.

"Take Me to the Riot" is also musical-like, though I don't particularly feel a connection to this song. It's kind of a throwaway track, in my opinion. It's certainly not skip-worthy, but it's by far not the best on the album. I'd actually say it's on the lower end.

"My Favourite Book" is terribly clever. It's definitely a cute love song. The music, the lyrics, Amy's voice, it's all just meshes so wonderfully. This song inspires me. This track is definitely on the higher end of the album.

I think "Midnight Coward" is a good song, but it's kind of just ... throwaway, like "Take Me To The Riot". I bought this album yesterday and I've already given it about 6 listenings, and "Midnight Coward" has just failed to capture my attention like some of the other tracks. I haven't made a connection with it.

"The Ghost of Genova Heights" is a song that had to grow on me. First and second listenings, I didn't really pay much attention to it, especially since it leads into two of my absolute favorite tracks on the album. However, around the third and fourth and fifth listenings, I realized this is a very catchy song. You can definitely groove to this song. This and "Window Bird" are the most 'chill' songs on the album.

"Personal" ... oh, how personal it is. It's between two characters putting in personal ads in the newspaper. The woman, Caroline, is very bored and lonely, and thinks she has found a potential interest in a nameless man. Sadly, he stands her up and the woman is convinced it's because she doesn't have the face of a "film star beauty", but really ... the man stood up Caroline, because of his own apprehension. It's a very sad and very personal song that has the ability to hit home with you on a very touching level. Hands down one of the best and most creative songs on the album.

"Barricade" is also a really good one. It's about a man's fascination with a very tough, passionate woman. I initially didn't realize this was about a British girl devoted to football, but after listening to it and then reading the lyrics and paying close attention, it all makes sense. It's a rather lovely song, even if the subject matter is a little WTF. I love when Troq sings, "Oh, how could anyone ..." Ah, his voice sounds so melodic.

After comes "Window Bird". It's such a pleasant tune. The lyrics are a bit vague and confusing, but I love the transition midway through. Every time Amy says, "when we go down, so ferocious", I can't help but think of oral sex, LOL. It's obviously not about that, but it pops into my head every time. Nevertheless, this tune is definitely the most "chill" song on the album. It's a nice song you could listen to as you sit down and have a chat. The chorus has such a funky sound to it.

For me "Bitches in Tokyo" is definitely a throwaway track. In fact, I'd go as far as saying it's the only track I don't particularly like. If any track on here is worth skipping, I'd say this has got to be it. I mean, it's an OKAY song, but it just doesn't connect with me. There's nothing special about it to me, and since it's so short (it's under 3 minutes) it fails to leave an impression on me.

"Life 2: The Unhappy Ending" is right up there with "Personal" and "The Night Starts Here" for me. It's about a rebellious couple getting themselves into all kinds of thrills and troubles. Problem is, I guess the 'trouble' is all too real and ends unhappily, unlike in the movies. I love how one moment the male character is narrating and the next the woman character is narrating. It's reminiscent of "Personal" in that way. Overall, it's a great song that gets you thinking. You'll enjoy it, definitely.

"Today Will Be Better I Swear" is such an inspirational song. It's one of those songs you should listen to when you're down in the dumps and need to have the mindset that things will get better drilled into your head. This song is just so lighthearted it's hard not to listen to it and smile.

The last song, "In Our Bedroom After the War" is a very fine finish. It's not a standout song for me, but it's still quite a nice song. I think it's a good finish.

Overall, best Stars album, and I've been replaying "Set Yourself On Fire" for years, aha! I just like this one so much better (which is a feat, seeing as I enjoy SYOF a lot). I think this one is much more creative and mysterious. Each time you listen you get caught up with the "characters" and the "story". It takes you along for the ride. It's an experience, it definitely is. I'd caterogize the tracks like this:

KEY TRACKS:
-Personal
-Barricade
-Life 2: the Unhappy Ending
-The Night Starts Here
-My Favourite Book

VERY GOOD:
-The Ghost of Genova Heights
-Window Bird
-The Beginning After the End


GOOD:
-Today Will Be Better I Swear
-Midnight Coward
-In Our Bedroom After the War

JUST OKAY:
-Take Me to the Riot
-Bitches in Tokyo