Artist The Dears

Murray Lightburn keeps his band The Dears more self-deprecating and gloriously mopey than other epic-sounding indie bands from Montreal we might mention. Whether rocking through devilish stingers like “Ticket To Immortality” (from 2006’s fantastic Gang Of Losers) or plodding through anthems for the outcast on 2008’s Missiles, the band captures the feeling of a glass-and-metal skyline collapsing in slow motion with the sunset behind it. The band’s fifth album, Degeneration Street, sees the return of a few members who skipped out because of band tension.

Updated 03/22/2012