Canadian indie band
Stars
rounded the corner on 20 years together before the release of their ninth full-length,
From Capelton Hill
, and throughout the album the group reflect repeatedly on the strange and often bittersweet ways that time keeps moving forward. From the first notes of opening track "Palmistry," the elements that have made up
' sound from the beginning are all intact: the well-balanced mix of subtle electronics, spirited organic rock instrumentation, and dual vocals from
Amy Millan
and
Torquil Campbell
cutting through to the front of the mix. Musically, this is the same intricate blend of chamber pop and upbeat indie pop that
have been perfecting for over two decades. There's a somber shadow running throughout
, though, one that's different from the melodrama and theatricality the band sometimes exhibited on earlier albums. It shows up in the nostalgic longing on "Pretenders," a gorgeous pastiche of
Morrissey
-recalling melodies and anthemic
New Order
-esque synth pop. The song's lyrics hover around themes of lost youth and fond remembrances of times that will never return, lacing the otherwise exuberant anthem with a palpable sadness. This paradox of heavy emotions and pristine pop comes to define
. "Back to the End" is stunningly crafted with sharp synth lines that melt into lush live string parts, creating a backdrop for lyrics about inconsolable loneliness and harsh repeating cycles. "Capelton Hill" looks back on years spent touring, sneaking in a slyly self-referential line about the band's 2004 landmark album
Set Yourself on Fire
while wondering aloud what it's all been for. The heaviness that runs through
is a thoughtful one, with lyrics offering honest assessment of how aging can feel when you've been a touring musician for more than half of your life.
' endlessly detailed arrangements are as impressive as ever, and become more powerful in the context of these highly reflective songs.
fearlessly investigate difficult feelings on
, and capture a complex beauty in the process. ~ Fred Thomas