Stars
Sunday, Sept. 28, Zilker ParkDespite Amy Millan’s obvious mood (“I’m not used to this Texas heat”) and a muddy sound mix, Stars plied their Canadian indie pop with aplomb, all on the back of frontman Torquil Campbell. It’s about time the lanky one came out from behind Millan’s shadow. His dramatic vocals and anthemic posturing are what make Stars so attractive, and as he slung handfuls of roses into the audience, it became clear that without him, Stars would be nothing more than another indie rock band from Montreal. It took a while to reach the band’s typical pacing, rev up “Take Me to the Riot,” Okkervil River dedication “Violent,” Dubya dedication “Going, Going, Gone,” but after Millan had ranted about the poisonous, sodium-filled water and a new song slipped by, the band found energy with the melodica-tinged “Elevator Love Letter” and closer “Your Ex-Lover Is Dead.” Better late than never.
This article appears in October 3 • 2008.