2005’s Set Yourself on Fire was critically acclaimed, so, keeping in line with recent trends, Stars decided to create a remix album. Instead of remixing their own tunes, Stars went to their Arts and Crafts labelmates to create the songs for this record. (Hence the title.) It’s interpreted track for track; therefore, it’s not as much of a remix album as a concept one featuring bands such as The Dears, Metric, and Young Galaxy.
Unfortunately, some of the bands on Do You Trust Your Friends sound a little too similar to Stars, and it makes for a boring album at times. Montag’s version of the Set Yourself On Fire’s title track is well done and pretty but simply uninteresting. It’s what you would expect if Stars remixed the song themselves.
The strongest tracks on the record are the ones by bands that go all out and make the songs sound like their own. For example, The Stills’ version of “Soft Revolution” successfully contains the band’s one-chord, post-punk guitar techniques and combines them with a 60s syncopated backbeat.
“One More Night” by Apostle Of Hustle is a well-put-together pop song with great vocal tracks. But as a whole, Do You Trust Your Friends is one of those records you pick up if you really love Stars. If this is not the case, stick with the ones you have; they’re much more worthwhile.
– Kristine Capua
Stars (Arts and Crafts)