Stars and Me

I"m obsessed with this band, so I have to brag on it a little.

It all started a few years back when I started watching The O.C. For those of you who don't know, The O.C. is probably one of the best TV shows I've ever seen, and that's saying a lot. Now aside from having hot actors and witty dialogue, there's one very special thing that The O.C. has: Really Good Music. Now I had never heard Really Good Music before. I mean, I listened to whatever was on the radio, and poppy songs (not offend anyone. Pop music is also really good), but I'd never heard anything like this.

Now, to get back to the point, there was one song on the soundtrack by this band called Stars. I liked it a lot. It was really original and pretty, but kind of a downer. So I bought another of their songs, then another. Pretty soon I'd bought all but one of there albums, and I hadn't really listened to them (that's how I get into music. I get it, then I listen to it).

At first I thought of Stars as a really slow band. The kind I'd fall asleep to or get a little sad to. But then I listened harder and realized I was wrong.

Stars has produced some of the best music I've heard in my life. With their understated keyboard lines and poetic lyrics, they convey messages that range from inspiration and encouragement to regret and loss.

But it's more than their lyrics, it's their musicality. I'm not kidding. I don't think I've heard anyone who can build to a climax like they do in "In Our Bedroom After The War", or evoke such a sense of closure as in "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead". It truly takes my breath away.

So if you feel like you need to hear some new music-- maybe something of the Really Good Music variety-- try Stars. You don't have to like it, just know that I do.