One fears their career will be forever hindered by the ascension of The Flaming Lips, but the Stars may find, in compensation, that their long-standing association with the now notorious Toerag Studios lends them shadowy cool. Vastly underrated, they refract the spirit of Double Indemnity through originally twisted shades of Morricone, Hazlewood, Tindersticks and the Mary Chain. Max Décharné sings with authentic pulp pathos; alcohol, smoke and heartache steam up his wry, weary window on the world. "She's Gone" says it all in under three minutes. Criminally good.

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