Stars - Real Thing

You better check yourself and back up baby
We're locking the doors
I've seen the play before but hold up
You started the war
Who told you that the feelings are laid out?
You would decide
You can't have what you can't have, that's right
Cold to survive

Back in the 80's, I went through a sophisti-phase, where I was really into polished, groovy bands like The Style Council, Ultravox and Spandau Ballet. I'm not sure I'd consider Canadian indie superband Stars to be the exact same thing, but they're pretty close. They've been doing polished, feel-good dance-pop for years and I'm so happy they're still at it. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to see them live again soon, as they're shows are up there in terms of pure fun.

RIYL: Broken Social Scene, Ra Ra Riot, Islands, Feist, Freelance Whales

Upcoming Shows

Wye Oak - Spiral

Thoughts becoming her
Mean on, let it
When our lips come together
I come over
Wake up notices you made it
Beauty, baby
When our lips come together
I get, older

If you're lucky, you might already know Wye Oak, perhaps from their outstanding 2011 album and single "Civilian". If you're not lucky, he's your opportunity to win. "Spiral" one of two terrific songs they put out in September will give you an idea of their sound.

RIYL: Flock of Dimes, Land of Talk, Tennis, TORRES, Big Thief

Upcoming Shows

Sir Sly - &Run

You could be another face that I forget soon as I move along
Everybody makes mistakes; am I mistaken for the way I carry on?
You could show a little grace, but maybe things just went a bit too far
We are just who we are; no time for "what if"s and "what if not"s

Heavy as the setting sun
Oh, I'm counting all the numbers between zero and one
Happy, but a little lost
Well, I don't know what I don't know
So I'll kick my shoes off and run (yeah)
Kick my shoes off and run
Kick my shoes off and run (run, we'll be running barefoot)
Kick my shoes off and run
Kick my shoes off and

There's a hard edge to the indie electronic pop made by LA band Sir Sly that reminds me very much of Foster the People. They took a few years between their debut and sophomore albums, but if you hadn't heard of them before, you probably heard first single off this (2nd) album, "High" on alt radio all summer - it hovered around the number 2 spot for 19 weeks! 

RIYL: Foster the People, Joywave, MGMT, Miike Snow

Upcoming Shows