In Our Bedroom After the War [Digipak] * by Stars

Stars: Chris Seligman (Fender Rhodes piano); Evan Cranley (bass guitar); Pat McGee, Amy Millan, Torquil Campbell (background vocals). Additional personnel: Andrew Whiteman (guitar); Genevieve Walker, Jesse Zubot, Jade McNelis (violin); Joseph Elworthy (cello); Daniel Handler (accordion); Erik Hove (saxophone). On this 2007 follow-up to its acclaimed SET YOURSELF ON FIRE, the Canadian indie-rock ensemble Stars wander further into pop territory. Along with Feist, the group is clearly one of the most accessible acts in the Broken Social Scene collective, a notion that it runs with on bright, dramatic tunes such as "The Night Starts Here," a lush, synth-pop number, and the sweeping, string-laden title track. While the band seems most at home with ornate, keyboard-driven arrangements (see the lightly funky "My Favourite Book," which showcases Millan's breathy voice), Stars also indulge in occasional guitar-heavy moments, as best evinced during the frenzied six-string solo at the end of "Window Bird." Although...