The Stills show movement

Upon first listen, The Stills' first album demonstrates little more than an ability to follow in the steps of Interpol, while still cranking the Pop knob in the studio to MAX. Obvious parallels include Brit-heavy influence from bands like Joy Division, The Smiths and The Cure. \nWhile this may already be enough to exclude people keen to hate music on principle, spending time with The Stills can be a moving experience. Sure, they cop the same bands as Interpol, but those bands are still totally boss. And while these four Canadians may not have produced a staggeringly original pop artifact, it barely matters. \nThey still write great melodies with semi-insightful lyrics built on robothéque backbeats that are as foot-tapping as all-get-out. Now, since this band has exhibited a working knowledge of '80s British pop, the UK press has naturally declared them a near-perfect group. I suspect this is a result from the feeling of relief they get from a band like The Stills, who essentially validate that country's pop after The Sex Pistols and before Radiohead. But however far from perfect they are on this side of the Atlantic, The Stills are outrageously okay.