In Our Bedroom After The War
by Stars
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Spin
    60
    The edge is smoothed down here, the bitterness outweighs the resignation, and strangely, the two sound stronger on their own. [Oct 2007, p.112]
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  2. No Ripcord
    60
    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.
  3. Rolling Stone
    60
    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."
  5. Slant Magazine
    60
    '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.'
  6. AllMusic
    60
    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.
  7. Mojo
    60
    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]
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  8. Boston Globe
    60
    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.
  9. Q Magazine
    60
    They are at their best when bandleader Torquil Campbell and muse Amy Millan share the mic. [Nov 2007, p.147]
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  10. Uncut
    60
    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]
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  11. Paste Magazine
    60
    In Our Bedroom After the War isn’t Stars’ best effort, but it ultimately satisfies: in wartime, one takes solace wherever one can.
  12. cokemachineglow
    56
    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.
  13. Magnet
    50
    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.

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Most Shared Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. HelenaC.
    Sep 6, 2008
    10
    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 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!!!!!… Full Review »
  2. EricC.
    Aug 19, 2008
    5
    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 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).… Full Review »
  3. MikeB.
    Dec 10, 2007
    7
    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.
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