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Set Yourself On Fire
by
Set Yourself On Fire Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 94 Ratings

  • Summary: Boasting a somewhat higher profile after a tour supporting Broken Social Scene, fellow Canadians Stars return with a third LP, produced by Tony Hoffer.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Spin
    91
    Delicate Casio-toned anthems. [Mar 2005, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Austin Chronicle
    89
    The songs spring from a warm hearth, upping the ante from their well-received sophomore LP, 2003's Heart.
  3. Stylus Magazine
    83
    It’s not that the male-female duo vocals make it or even the moments where the group channels the Delgados in their sublime use of strings and horns; it’s more that Stars has gotten tighter since their last outing.
  4. The Guardian
    80
    Most of these powerful pop songs bloom to match the intensity of the feelings they lament.
  5. Lost At Sea
    80
    Set Yourself on Fire is a release of unexpected dimensions.
  6. The A.V. Club
    70
    Like Ivy and other suave postmodern light-rockers, Stars sounds better in small bites than big gulps.
  7. Dot Music
    60
    It's too much risk-free computation and not enough wild emotion.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 57
  3. Negative: 0 out of 57
  1. WangF
    Mar 13, 2005
    10
    A lot better than their Heart LP, and that is saying something.
  2. Blake
    Jul 25, 2007
    10
    BEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME!!! Beautiful little gem.
  4. Paige
    May 16, 2005
    10
    Wow! this is a breakthrough for Indie, i can honestly say i can't start my day with out it!
  5. AmandaK
    Jan 31, 2006
    10
    i love this album alot...although i must admit i like heart better
  6. samantha
    Mar 17, 2007
    10
    i love this cd. the music just lifts my mood
  7. DaveH
    Dec 23, 2005
    9
    As good as an album can be without changing your life.
  8. DavidM
    Sep 2, 2005
    5
    After a year of tracking music on Metacritic, I've come to realize it's number one flaw...it constantly leads to an over-inflated After a year of tracking music on Metacritic, I've come to realize it's number one flaw...it constantly leads to an over-inflated evaluation of middle-of-the-road, immaculately produced, pretty pop albums such as these. I'll be straightforward here, I gravitate towards extremes...extreme mellow, extreme volume, extreme aggression, extreme introspections...the danger zones. Safe stuff like this is never going to sell me completely. That said, even with my biases, this album does not deserve an 8, immaculate production does not compensate for average songs and average musical ideas. It's not bad, and it's way better than the Go Betweens, but like the Go Betweens, vastly overrated and none too inspiring. None of the emotional charge of Montreal counterparts Arcade Fire.… Collapse

See all 57 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

59
#59 Best Album of 2005
65
#65 Most Discussed Album of 2005
15
#15 Most Shared Album of 2005