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Lost At Sea

The tracks are both individually strong and do work as a whole, though not in the way the group necessarily intended.

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Filter

If there’s a criticism to be volleyed, it’s that In Our Bedroom After the War’s direction frequently changes dramatically, rendering the set of songs as a smattering of smart, soft ideas that are expertly executed rather than a cohesive collection of material.

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Stylus Magazine

In Our Bedroom After The War is Stars' most consistent, nuanced album, and says good things for the future, but Campbell and Millan won't write a perfect record until they learn what their songs need, and abandon the inevitable few tracks on which it's refused.

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PopMatters

This is more than a fitting follow-up to the group’s breakthrough "Set Yourself On Fire."

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musicOMH.com

An instant classic for some, a slow-burner for others; this is what we've come to expect of Stars.

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NOW Magazine

In Our Bedroom After The War is better than expected even as it wallows in its own broken heart.

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New Musical Express

With In Our Bedroom... Stars are rewriting the textbook on romance with effortless glee.

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Village Voice

Only a great fool would be satisfied with just a track or two.

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Drowned In Sound

In Our Bedroom After The War feels like the conclusion of a journey towards the summit of mount indie pleasance.

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Prefix Magazine

War unfolds less like a cohesive concept album (though a rock-opera would be a likely future addition to the group's discography) as much as a series of telenovela vignettes.

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Pitchfork

Growing more staged, warier, and a little less playful with age, Stars don't quite match the wily rush of "Set Yourself on Fire" here.

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Blender

Their fourth album toughens things up immeasurably. [Oct 2007, p.114]

Alternative Press

The band have finally created songs as big as their love-and-death themes. [Nov 2007, p.163]

Under The Radar

In Our Bedroom After the War is a pretty solid statement of purpose; Stars are finally comfortable in their own skins, baring themselves across a healthy breadth of moods and styles. [Fall 2007, p.81]

Austin Chronicle

Despite the melodrama, the LP's perfectly done, every note in place.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

For the most part, the band's romantic pop just sits around looking pretty, a sharp hook or three away from continuing the magic found on "Heart" and "Set Yourself On Fire."

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Spin

The edge is smoothed down here, the bitterness outweighs the resignation, and strangely, the two sound stronger on their own. [Oct 2007, p.112]

All Music Guide

While some of Stars' best songs appear on this record, others are performed with such an overstated bravado that it renders them too sour to digest.

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No Ripcord

Bedroom is an album of dynamics and contrasts with its biggest asset its heart; chipped, cracked or broken, naivety is replaced by genuine emotion. Sometimes it’s boring and sometimes it’s endearing.

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Rolling Stone

In Our Bedroom After the War is mellower, without so much of the emotional turmoil that seethed under the surface of "Set Yourself on Fire."

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Slant Magazine

'The Night Starts Here' is the kind of boy-girl baton-song that's become a signature for the band, with Campbell and Millan trading verses while we play analysts, and though this one is sufficiently cinematic and electro-psychedelic, it's not quite 'Your Ex-Lover is Dead.'

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Mojo

In Our Bedroom After The War aims for a more dramatic sweep than its predecessor but falls a couple tunes short. [Nov 2007, p.108]

Q Magazine

They are at their best when bandleader Torquil Campbell and muse Amy Millan share the mic. [Nov 2007, p.147]

Uncut

The Feist-like 'My Favourite book' and the triumphant 'Today Will Be Better, I Swear!' are songs of rare craft but you'll need to suspend disbelief to make it through to curtain-down. [Nov 2007, p.123]

Paste Magazine

In Our Bedroom After the War isn’t Stars’ best effort, but it ultimately satisfies: in wartime, one takes solace wherever one can.

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Boston Globe

But as pretty as all of the proceedings are--right down to the elegant bound packaging--the overall feel is of Sunday brunch music that goes down easy but rarely quickens the pulse.

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cokemachineglow

In Our Bedroom After the War is half of an above average album, which is unfortunate if only because the band's still clearly capable of gorgeous pop convulsions when they lay off the theatrics and let their rhythm section rev things up.

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Magnet

Not Stars’ best, and far from their worst, but an album’s worth of the usual string-laden drama-pop seems a thin substitute for what today’s kids are seeking.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 7.4 (out of 10) based on 21 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Helena C. gave it a10:
This album is my favorite album by any band to date. The inspiration it has given me, it is boundless. It took me a while to realize the true beauty of the songs, but after several going throughs of the tracks I was hooked. I have no idea why so many people disliked the lask track: In Our Bedroom After the War (the title track), for me it held such an oddly meaningful message. There is an innocence to the entire album, permeated by the aftermath of the war. Barricade is absolutely heartrending, there is a sad truth to the lyrics. I found personal meaning in the album, I've been to Cuba often (beautiful country, amazing people, my favorite place on earth), and that country seems to work well in the context of this record. The aftermath of a revolutionary war is still evident in the place, even after all these years, though there is always hope, spirit, and heart. That's probably reading too much into it, but whatever ;) My favorite tracks (are all of them) in particular are: 1. In Our Bedroom After the War 2. Barricade 3. The Beginning After the End 4. Take Me to the Riot So all in all......... Everyone! Go out and buy this album! The songs are beautiful and even the album artwork is fantastic!!!!!

Eric C. gave it a5:
I'm not sure why, but the Stars annoy the hell out of me. I get why people are so in to them, but... I just don't like them, and I keep trying to like them with each new album. All I'm trying to say is that hear some songs first before dropping some cash on their records (and not just "Take Me to the Riot", because that's all I heard before buying this one).

Mike B. gave it a7:
the first listen was very disappointing. The songs seemed watered down, too radio friendly. After a few listens, it is starting to grow on me.

Jonathan A. gave it a5:
As much as I adore this band, In Our Bedroom After the War fails to win my heart like their previous releases did. It's a step down in every imaginable way from Set Yourself On Fire. They're moving backwards, and I'm disappointed.

Drew C. gave it a9:
A friend of mine recommended the last stars album, Your Ex-Lover is Dead, to me when it came out. I found it a lush album with some great music, but nothing extraordinary. When I heard they were releasing something new, I decided to give it a try. I was blown away. I did not expect the new album to become my favorite record of the year. However, it did, and quickly. From start to finish I enjoyed my trip with Stars, and now, over four months later, I'm still going back and listening to again and again. Tracks such as Take Me To the Riot and The Ghost of Genova Heights do an excellent job at power-pop, but the band truly finds its place when doing songs such as My Favourite Book, Personal, and Midnight Coward, where Amy Millan's vocals shine. Overall, a wonderful album, and one which will stay in my library for years to come.

Rachyl A. gave it a9:
At first, I did not think it was as brilliant and poignant as Set Yourself On Fire. After a few listens, I realized that not only was it equal, it may, perhaps be better. With rhythmic guitars, drums and breathy vocal with great lyrics, this album really sets itself apart a bit. Amy Millan has more solo songs than before, which is a great thing. Window Bird, Bitches in Tokyo, My Favourite Book and Today will be Better, I swear! really showcase her angelic, breathy, sensual yet vulnerable side. I believe my favorite track however, is In Our Bedroom After the War. It just wreaks of all things I love, Torquil and the flair for the dramatic.

Ali C gave it a9:
Not as brilliant as 'set yourself on fire', but there isn't a record by anyone in the last 3 years as good as that one. This is still first class stuff from the best (and most underrated) band around. 'Midnight coward' is worth the entry price alone. They've done it again.

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In Our Bedroom After The War

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