Stars: Set Yourself On Fire

(Herald rating: * * * *)

Stars aren't as sweet as they first appear. In fact, for pop music, Set Yourself On Fire is often highly flown, with everything from strings to French horn to glockenspiel in the mix.

But complementing this is the sweetness that comes with the pure pop of the breezy title track, and the carefree cooing of Ageless Beauty. The sweetness continues with the innocent vocals of singers Amy Millan (who has a gorgeously hazy voice) and Torquil Campbell complementing each other well.

However, before you have a sugar rush, the sweet sounds are balanced out by cutting lyrics, like, "You look so good in the clothes of a poser," and dirty phrases with perfectly timed disdain.

Although Stars are not as intense, they are similar to fellow Canadian act, the Arcade Fire, whose album, Funeral, is one of this year's best works of dark pop.

While both those bands have more attitude, are far sexier and more wicked than our own Goldenhorse, musically, all three share a love for galloping into bent pop songs.

On Sleep Tonight and He Lied About Death, Stars can get all woozy and wonky (like My Bloody Valentine) but then cut to the playful The First Five Times - a song about sex. In fact, sex, combined with good red wine and pot is how Stars recommend you listen to their album. That's got to be good for you.

Label: Shiny