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With the explosion in music coming out of Toronto [and Montreal], its been a busy year for the Arts and Crafts Label, started by Broken Social Scene founding members Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Just to get an idea of how strong this label has been, here's a quick list of notables: Feist, The American Analog Set, Jason Collet, The Dears, The Constantines and The Most Serene Republic. Tonight's showcase was Montreal-based Stars and the familiar art-pop collective, Broken Social Scene. Both bands still getting lots of touring mileage with their latest releases, "In Our Bedroom After the War" and the self-titled "Broken Social Scene." |
A modern day saccharin version of The Pixies or The Smiths (take your pick), Stars took the stage to a resounding and warm applause with one fan in the distance waving the provincial Quebec flag while another eager teen held a single flower slightly above shoulder level. The set started out with what may be Stars signature style- chirpy upbeat tempo guitar with lush keyboard work from their familiar single, "The Night Starts Here" then followed by the straight forward pop of "Elevator Love Letter." Right from the start, the crowd was enthralled- the bouncing of the tightly packed crowd seemed like a choppy sea.
After greeting and thanking the Tokyo crowd for their hospitality, the set pressed on even though it seemed the other band members had not even broken a sweat. Stars frontman Torquil Campbell worked to get the crowd going by initiating claps and his efforts perhaps came off a bit too strong. In performance, intensity is a given although when the unfamiliar limit (unless you're watching glam-era music videos) is reached, it seems too contrived and almost distracting. Appearing rather eccentric [in comparison to the other band members] and bordering on demagoguery, this was a bit unsettling for a pop show. Campbell waved his mic stand like a scepter or at times diligently marched in place with occasional demonic grins, leading to the belief that most of Stars chemistry is upheld [or at least Campbell thinks] by him. Although, I digress. That the chemistry of the band is centered around Campbell is a two way street. At times Campbell searches for the spotlight but at moments like on "Midnight Coward," Campbell and Milan exchanged their gentle lullaby into a subtle crescendo which seemed to bring the rest of band to life.
To give Stars credit, there were some noticeably fluid lush-synthesizer transitions between song gaps that were not otherwise filled with stage banter from Campbell or Milan. As an intro to "One more night," Campbell said, "give me one more night because I can't fuck forever" while into "My bitches in Tokyo," Milan jested, "Where my bitches at?" Mmmm, half the crowd was amused, half puzzled. But onto more high points because there were more than a few. One was when they played the gently grunge-themed, "Ageless Beauty" with Milan's honey-glazed vocals. When they went into "Window Bird" all eyes were on Milan, but distracted as everyone's eyes noticed Campbell lip synching along. "Elevator Love Letter" was another strong performance as was "Take Me to The Riot" with soaring crescendos and hard hitting drums which seemed to satisfy the crowd. Overall a straightforward performance which wasn't as eclectic as Broken Social Scene would prove to be.-- setlist -- The Night Starts Here / Elevator Love Letter / What I'm Trying to Say / Window Bird / One More NIght / Bitches in Tokyo / Personal / Going / Midnight Coward / Take me to the riot / Ageless Beauty / Your Ex Lover is Dead |
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report by vicente and photos by hanasan
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| photos : Stars | Broken Social Scene |
 mag files : Stars Dim Stars, lit up by Broken Social Scene : (08/03/06 @ Liquidroom Ebisu) : review by vicente, photos by hanasanベッドルームから世界の果てまで : (08/03/06 @ Liquidroom Ebisu) : review by kemji, photos by hanasanphoto report : (08/03/06 @ Liquidroom Ebisu) : photos by hanasan |
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The official site Stars http://www.arts-crafts.ca/stars/ check 'em? -->My Space / iTunes The latest album  "In Our Bedroom After the War" (国内盤 + DVD / US import / US import - '12analog +DVD / UK import / / UK import +DVD / iTunes) |
The previous works "Set Yourself on Fire" (国内盤 / US import / UK import / / UK import - '12analog / iTunes)
"Live at Lollapalooza 2006"(iTunes)
"It's Alchemy! - Single"(iTunes) "A Lot of Little Lies for the Sake of One Big Truth - EP"(iTunes) "Do You Trust Your Friends?"(US import / US import - '12analog / iTunes) "Heart"(US import) "Nightsongs"(US import / iTunes) check the albums? |
 2008Dim Stars, lit up by Broken Social Scene : Stars & Broken Social Scene (6th Mar. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)Raise your hands for trash techno : Boys Noize (29th Feb. @ Shibuya Womb)San Diego invades Tokyo : The Album Leaf & Pinback (28th Feb. @ Liquidroom Ebisu) |