People Are Different

• Artist: Wooden Stars
• Rating:
• Release Date: May 08, 2007
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

Formed in Ottawa in 1993, the Wooden Stars released four indie albums and a collaborative effort with singer Julie Doiron up through 1999, drifted apart unceremoniously for four years, and then resurfaced in 2004. People Are Different, the quartet's first album in eight years, mixes up new tunes, retreads of material that languished in the vaults and a remake of "The Last Secret Infirmary," from 1998's Rise Up & Get Down. But since they've been a mostly local phenomenon -- albeit one that supposedly influenced Arcade Fire, among other Canadian bands -- this record will likely be the first exposure for many to the Wooden Stars, and it's a great place to start checking them out. They claim XTC as one of their own prime influences, and that is apparent in the angular but melodic guitar lines and keening, often tandem-sung vocals (not cited by the band is David Byrne, but there's an uncanny resemblance at times to him as well). Tracks such as "Pretty Girl," "Gold Dust" and the quaking opener "Orphans" share relatively opaque lyrics and perpetual-motion, twisted rhythms that keep the listener guessing. They're not doing anything other indie rockers haven't done before them, but they're doing it with a rekindled fire under them. ~ Jeff Tamarkin, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Orphans	Wooden Stars	Wooden Stars	(2:59)
Pretty Girl	Wooden Stars	Wooden Stars	(3:58)
Blackouts	Wooden Stars	Wooden Stars	(4:26)
Microphone	Wooden Stars	Wooden Stars	(3:44)
Gold Dust	Wooden Stars	Wooden Stars	(5:19)
Boating Accident	Wooden Stars	Wooden Stars	(6:18)
Last Secret Infirmary	Wooden Stars	Wooden Stars	(3:39)
Clouds	Wooden Stars	Wooden Stars	(5:42)

Credits

Jeff McMurrich (Engineer), Joao Carvalho (Mastering), Mike Feuerstack (Guitar), Mike Feuerstack (Voices), Mike Feuerstack (Lap Steel Guitar), Mike Feuerstack (Group Member), Julien Beillard (Guitar), Julien Beillard (Voices), Julien Beillard (Group Member), Michael Jack (Mixing), Philippe Blanchard (Concept), Philippe Blanchard (Cover Design), Peter Murray (Vocals (Background)), Peter Murray (Producer), Peter Murray (Overdub Engineer), Peter Murray (Vocal Engineer), Michael Holt (Vocals (Background)), Nick Fraser (Brushes), Stephanie Bell (Layout Design), Stephanie Bell (Assembly), David French (Saxophone), Andrew McCormack (Percussion), Andrew McCormack (Drums), Andrew McCormack (Group Member), Katie McCormack (?), Katie McCormack (Artwork), Katie McCormack (Cover Design)