by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

It’s that time of year again, and who better to celebrate the holiday of love with than local incurable romantics Stars. Their new CD literally wears Heart on its sleeve, and it’s the most ambitious and fully-formed dose of their elegant, airy, emotive pop yet. The Mirror rounded up the members of Stars and tossed them some famous bon mots on amour for their reactions.

“Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.” - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Torquil Campbell (singer): Word up! He’d know, he was a genius. That’s the truest truism I’ve heard in a long time. The greatest thing that humans are capable of is love. It’s our only unique quality aside from an opposable thumb. Love is the essence of the height of human existence, so a genius is someone abundant in that ability.”

Amy Millan (guitarist): Whether it’s the love of the woman they’re obsessed with or the love of God, from the Sistine Chapel to Matisse, they’re so deep in that love.

“I love Mickey Mouse more than any woman I have ever known.” - Walt Disney

TC: That just goes to the heart of the perversity that is America, that a mouse diddler is the biggest cultural influence in the history of the country. A Nazi mouse diddler.

“Love is a perky elf dancing a merry little jig and then suddenly he turns on you with a miniature machine gun.” - Matt Groening

TC: I would never hope that Matt Groening would think any other way, because then he wouldn’t be so funny. But you’d be hard-pressed to find any feelings like that in this band - we’re all really in love with people and have great relationships. It’s kinda sick but it’s true. When you’re feeling love the way I’m feeling love, I can’t really imagine that love is that, but I do know it is that, but I feel so far away from knowing that now - know what I mean?

“The torch of love is lit in the kitchen.” - French proverb

AM: Ooh, spicy!

Evan Cranley (bassist): I’m a big believer in that. I love food.

“Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by the imagination.” - Voltaire

TC: That’s a very elegant thing to say. Way to go, Voltaire, we give you a seven out of 10! It’s bouncy, it’s got a beat, you can dance to it - I like it!

“Platonic love is like an inactive volcano.” - Andre Prevost

TC: He is a closet homosexual, quite clearly, and I’d advise him to act on his feelings. Much as Plato should have, instead of making up new words for wanting to have sex with hot, young boys.

“Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.” - Mother Teresa

TC: Mother Teresa was a silly bitch. She was like a dog chasing her tail around for 93 years. Guess what, Mother Teresa - you wouldn’t have to save all these starving babies if you’d put a condom on the people who produced them, so shut the fuck up. :

CD launch with Broken Social Scene at la Sala Rossa on Sunday, Feb. 16, 9pm, $10

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