heart

The closest thing I can equate my love for this record to is the irrationality and giddiness of a secret crush. It makes no sense that I love this. There are no Cranberries or Sundays CDs hiding behind my Sonic Youth and Unwound. Toronto’s STARS come from the same collective that birthed the Broken Social Scene. Both groups write great songs, but the comparisons stop there. STARS, almost embarrassingly so, embraces sappy pop sentiments wrapped in late-’80s keyboards and new-wave romantic slickness. “Elevator Love Letter” is emphatic evidence that this band has cornered the market on the gentle, wistful pop that cynical eyes often dismiss. To which I have to say: If you think too hard, you’ll miss what you’re feeling.