Five Ghosts

Personnel: Andrew Whiteman (guitar); Josh Zubot (violin).
Audio Mixer: Michael H. Brauer.
Recording information: Breakglass, Montreal, Canada (2009); Hotel 2 Tango (2009); Studio Plateau, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (2009).
Arranger: Stars.
Returning to work with Tom McFall, who produced the group's 2005 album Set Yourself on Fire, Stars recorded their fifth full-length in their home city of Montreal, writing together as a unit in the studio. Self-funded, as the first of Stars' releases for their own Soft Revolution Records, The Five Ghosts finds the fivesome mainly playing it safe. As suggested by the title, the album involves a loose concept about ghosts, with songs like "I Died So I Could Haunt You" and "He Dreams He's Awake," as it tips back and forth between melancholy yet shiny ballads and saturated dance music. Beats recall Postal Service's Give Up, with added `80s glitter courtesy of some newly acquired synthesizers and drum programs, but with the exception of a few catchy choruses -- particularly on "Fixed" and "We Don't Want Your Body" -- the album is less single-driven than prior outings. Still, fans will find a lot to like. ~ Jason Lymangrover