Stars performing a 500 Club event at the Triple Door 11/18/07
photo by Gregory A. Perez
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Midday Show host Cheryl Waters, is The Ghost of Genova Heights
by Stars from the 2007 album In Our Bedroom After the War on Arts & Crafts.
After setting the bar pretty high with their 2004 album Set Yourself On Fire, Stars employed an interesting distribution technique to create buzz surrounding their latest effort and, at the same time, beat leakers to the punch. A few days following the album’s completion, Stars released the album digitally, well in advance of the official 9/25 release. Whether their ploy worked or not is up for speculation. Earlier this year, the band released Do You Trust Your Friends?, covers and remixes of Set Yourself On Fire, helping to remind listeners of one of the best albums of 2004. Thirsty for new material, listeners now have a new batch of melodramas placing romance in the midst of violent and unsettling events. The Morrissey comparisons and theatricality of Torquil Campbell alongside the sweet hushed vocals of Amy Millan make for unwaveringly tight orchestral pop that is sure to please fans old and new. The band is currently touring through Canada, Ireland and the UK. Listen to the entire album on their MySpace page and witness this official video for Take Me to the Riot
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