The Dears

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Biography

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (1995 – present)

The Dears is an indie rock band which formed in 1995 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The band consists of Murray Lightburn (vocals, guitar), Natalia Yanchak (vocals, keyboards), Jason Kent (guitar, vocals), Christopher McCarron (guitar), Rob Benvie (bass), Laura Willis (keyboards, vocals) and Yann Geoffroy (drums). Lightburn and Yanchak are the only original members remaining in the band. The band’s most recent album, “Degeneration Street”, was released on 15 February 2011.

Without even seeing a performance by The Dears it was easy to recognize the group in Montreal’s haunts in the late nineties. Dressed in black suits and white shirts, they would descend on bars like the minor legends they were. At that time, The Dears were like an unconfirmed rumour of ardour; they were full of possibility, and propelled by passion, alienation, and alcohol. Their precious name and the crooning vocals of charismatic front man Murray Lightburn, defined their clean, symphonic pop style. Yet the band’s onstage intensity and quiet defiance defied easy categorization. Already, at that early stage, their sophisticated content and attitude set them at odds with the music scene of the day.

End of a Hollywood Bedtime Story, their 2000 debut album, immediately established The Dears as a unique and powerful presence. With a stylized and cinematic scope, the record fused narratives, orchestral arrangements and pop in a way that was praised for ambitious grandiosity.
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  • radiohoofdnz

    No cities left Already 10 years old wow

    16 Apr 11:47pm Reply

  • Zeroshii

    Perfect! I'm going to have to listen to No Cities Left next

    27 Jan 9:15pm Reply

  • bingbongbilly

    Saw The Dears at Oran Mor, Glasgow. Great gig.

    12 Aug 2012 Reply

  • joaotsantos

    The Canadian Rock League (season 2) will start in the next week. You can vote in this band here Canadian Rock League Every week have a new voting! Greetings

    3 Jul 2012 Reply

  • InASafePlace

    No Cities Left is good but Missiles is supreme.

    17 Mar 2012 Reply

  • AlexanderShough

    I like that the song chart reflects my opinion.. the Dears are all about No Cities Left, but sound rejuvenated with Degeneration Street after two sloppy offerings in between. I never thought Murray sounded like Damon Albarn, always thought both were very distincy voices.

    29 Feb 2012 Reply

  • Edvardoz

    Not so bad) love them!

    17 Feb 2012 Reply

  • kleimoment

    норм так)

    4 Nov 2011 Reply

  • MaylsonUFMS

    é muito amor nessa banda.

    23 Oct 2011 Reply

  • George336

    I agree with the last poster. Murray's voice does sound like Damon's and often like Morrissey's but I doubt that his vocal characteristics were deliberately manufactured. The Dears are a hugely under-rated band who probably won't get their big moment. That's a great pity.

    6 Sep 2011 Reply

  • ijkidd

    Sorry but I am always reminded of Damon Albarn, especially the "Blur" album period. Its what switched me on to The Dears around the "No Cities Left" era when "We Can Have It" got heavy rotation on 6music. Still taking a while to warm to "Degeneration Street", some of it too strident and screechy for me, but persisting and its growing on me, as "Gang of Losers" did too.

    10 Aug 2011 Reply

  • falloftroys

    Goooood stuff.

    31 Jul 2011 Reply

  • noodlesito

    Alq le gusta The Dears, mi usuario de Spotify: Noodlesito

    26 Jul 2011 Reply

  • YoungHeretic

    Disclaimer is by far the best song they have ever done.

    9 Jul 2011 Reply

  • bruitigor

    The best album of 2011 so far. [3]

    20 Jun 2011 Reply

  • martynfm

    I've just dug out 'No Cities Left' & listened to it today for the first time in ages. Shame on me, it's a great album,nicely constructed songs & great vocals. I agree with 'OmaRockR', The Dears sound like 'The Dears'. Must now seek out the other albums.

    12 Jun 2011 Reply

  • MaylsonUFMS

    The best album of 2011 so far. [2]

    28 May 2011 Reply

  • joaotsantos

    Hi everybody! You can vote in this band/artist in this group: The Canadian Rock League. In this group competes the best rock bands/artists from Canada to determine the best artists from this country. Every week have a new voting, so don't forget it. http://www.last.fm/group/The+Canadian+Rock+League

    11 May 2011 Reply

  • OmaRockR

    Stop comparing The Dears with other bands, specially the voice of Murray. The Dears sounds like The Dears. PERIOD

    9 May 2011 Reply

  • InASafePlace

    People from Canada unite! Vote social on monday! We need to counter the Conservatives! Be your vote NPD, BLOC or Green, we need it! Even better, visit projectdemocracy.ca to know who has the most chances of beating a conservative candidate in your riding!

    1 May 2011 Reply
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