Sad robots are nothing new in the indie-rock world. Grandaddy, for example, pretty much based their entire career on them. But when Stars go the route of depressed android, it's a cause for concern: The band has always contained plenty of synths, but has been vigilant about leavening them with fathoms-deep toms and chiming guitars. Luckily, the group's most electronic outing since their 2001 debut, Nightsongs, works mostly in spite of its concept. Sad robots have rarely written pop songs as catchy as "A Thread Cut with a Carving Knife."

That song comes after the throwaway opener "Maintenance Hall, 4 AM" which, along with the closing title track, attempts coherence by bookending the record with soundscapes that are pretty and little more. "A Thread," however, more than makes up for the dalliance: It's a nearly six-minute thesis statement for why this band exists. Torquil Campbell and Amy Milan trade vocals over a shuffling beat before things explode into a triumphant chorus led by a squalling guitar. Like her turn on "Going, Going, Gone (Live Version) — taking over here from Emily Haines, who originally sang it on Nightsongs — Milan is no tired coquette. She's simply tired, telling… read more »