42. Stars- Set Yourself On Fire

One of those titles that was coined by many indie-pop lovers as one of the biggest discoveries of 2005 (yes, they have released two other albums, I know). Shame that it's only the people who have this 'form' of music on their listening agenda ever hear this album, for it deserves a wider audience (sure, doesn't everything) as the band veers between fuzzed out electronics, chamber music with horns and romantic pop. Without ever resorting to getting too schmaltzy in the arrangements, Stars manage to write some achingly beautiful tunes, like in the opener Your Ex-Lover Is Dead where the strings collide with Marr-like guitarwork backed by electronica or the more punchy Reunion or The First Five Times that are reminiscent of Saint Etienne's catalogue. The down-to-earth male and female vocals and some edgy lyrics finish off a refreshing upbeat album.