Hour.ca - Music - Spin - Logic Will Break Your Heart

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November 6th, 2003
The Stills - Vice/Atlantic/Warner

Logic Will Break Your Heart
Jamie O'Meara

Though I'm sure these Montreal boys aren't getting sick of the rave reviews in Rolling Stone, Spin, NME and Q, to name but a very few, I'm imagining that by now the Echo and the Bunnymen, Smiths and Cure parallels are wearing a little thin. That's understandable, as valid as those poles of comparison may be. However, this is a much more sophisticated effort than those would imply, more so than even their well-received Rememberese teaser EP indicated. Though the '80s school of melody is most definitely in session (it's swell to hear songs again, isn't it?), the four have also learned extensively from the dense, meandering atmospherics that bands like Coldplay have put to powerful employ. And though the album sags perceptibly in the middle, seems to run out of breath, I've absolutely no doubt that this will be deservedly, determinedly huge. (Jamie O'Meara)


	Write your review of this record !

Still Ticking

So, right off the top, The Stills sound nothing like Interpol, The Strokes, The Walkmen, or any other NYC hipster bands riding the same wave of hype. Yes, they all share the same predictable post-punk influences: Echo & The Bunnymen, Joy Division, vintage U2, The Smiths and The Cure. But you can't fault them for having good taste. If I had a band, that's what I'd have for influences too.

The best song on the disc is "Animals And Insects". With its surging percussion, bubbling electronics, and desperate "Oh My God" refrain, it's an entirely infectious piece of pop. The low-end just shakes my speakers to bits. "Still In Love Song" is another great track that drives headlong into the your subconscious with it's haunting faux-teenage angst. It's great mix tape fodder. Other highlights include "Lola Stars and Stripes" and "Changes Are No Good". They are just little hints of what the Stills are fully capable of.

I guess part of the charm of Logic Will Break Your Heart is that singer Tim Fletcher's voice is so amazing. One song he's going all indulgently Thom Yoke, the next he's Jeff Buckley set to a Smiths backdrop, or maybe a guttural Bowie, or a less British Chris Martin. He seems to take the best of what he's heard and make it his own without much difficulty.

Still, The Stills are a young band and while Logic Will Break Your Heart is a fantastic pop record, it's not a classic. The Stills are still developing a sound that, although it is stylishly different from their NYC counterparts, seems more like a teaser of what's to come. They alternate between playing it a little too safe (like Coldplay) or going in for lofty arena rock pretentiousness (much like U2).

All the same, it's been a long while since I've heard an album of such catchy maudlin pop that didn't come from the UK during the 1980's. Along with the Dears and Sam Roberts, these Montreal boys are doing their share in makeing the belle province proud.

Leonard Andermann

{3 votes}

November 30th, 2004

From Montreal

I've said it before, I'll say it again, The Stills are a band form our city that can aspire to greater things. If we specifically take a look at their first LP, Logic Will Break Your Heart, here's what we get.

This album is the baby of two main styles of music that were popular in the last 10 to 15 years. Britpop, this british pop-rock that took its roots in the 80s new wave of music to be exploited by The Smiths, Stone Roses, Blur and Oasis of this world. The other one is garage rock, this dirty and sleazy 70s back to roots rock & roll than incaded the world these past years with the likes of The Strokes, The White Stripes, Jet, Interpol and others.

The Stills can be classified in the mellower part of this fusioned current. We do not find those killer guitar riffs on their album, but rather some mid-tempo rock melodies, very clean, sobre and anjoyable. There are Allison Krausse and Lola Stars And Stripes that rock out a little more, but that's about it.

The tracks are very intelligently built and structured, and it's all about the guitar, for our greatest hearing pleasure. Gender Bombs, Fevered and Changes Are No Good are wonderful examples of the jems you will find on this record.

A promising debut from our own guys. Very good. We must encourage them, this ain't no Canadian Idol or Star Académie, here, folks.

Sebastien Behnan

November 26th, 2004

Still of montreal...

the stills, along with many other current bands and musicians, make us montrealers proud. very proud. this album is proof of the budding montreal indie rock scene and the talent we harbour here during all of our four seasons. This album is tight and strong. every song is catchy and the listener feels the dedication put into each piece of music. that is vrey inportant, in an industry where many cds just have two or three catchy singles and the rest if fluff. There is no fluff on this album, and with repeated listenings, each sons begins to stand out on its own for its distinctive riffs and melody. But althought the songs are tight on their own, they make up a very fluid ensemble. the album has a vibe, an ambiance, which is comforting. Lola stars and stripes kicks it off, demonstrating the feelings of love lost and forlorn. having seen these guys in concert 3 times, i can say each time they got better and better. they've gained much confidance and have improved as a band. therefore, i can only expect greater things from them, and greatly look forward to the next release.

montreal represent.

Laura Crestohl

June 4th, 2005

Somethings last forever

I found The Stills through a random music search and found 'The Still in Love Song'. It's passionate ballad-like sound and their impulsive beat got me to buy the cd, and a year later I'm still stuck loving their cd.

By far, my favorite songs would have to be Allison Krausse, Love and Death, and Gender Bombs. 'The girl will school you' was one of my favorite lines in Gender Bombs.

I was lcky enough to see them in concert a few days after my graduation and will never forget how awesome they were.

I highly suggest buying this album. There isn't one song I dislike!!

Christie Kliewer

{1 vote}

February 7th, 2005

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