The Dears
On Tour
-
Search on Spotify
Yes, it scrobbles! Learn more
3,406,420 plays (202,173 listeners)
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.
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.
Shouts:
297 shouts
Top Albums
-
No Cities Left
The Dears
Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $8.99
- 7digital $9.99
- iTunes $9.99
- Buy Album
- Amazon $5.47
- eBay Search
-
Degeneration Street
The Dears Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.49
- 7digital $9.99
- iTunes $9.99
- Buy Album
- Amazon $11.29
- eBay Search
-
Gang Of Losers
The Dears Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $8.99
- 7digital $9.99
- iTunes Search
- Buy Album
- Amazon $5.00
- eBay Search
-
Missiles
The Dears Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $8.99
- 7digital $8.99
- iTunes $9.99
- Buy Album
- Amazon $13.78
- eBay Search
Shoutbox
-
kleimoment wrote:
норм так)
-
MaylsonUFMS wrote:
é muito amor nessa banda.
-
George336 wrote:
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.
-
ijkidd wrote:
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.
-
falloftroys wrote:
Goooood stuff.
-
noodlesito wrote:
Alq le gusta The Dears, mi usuario de Spotify: Noodlesito
-
YoungHeretic wrote:
Disclaimer is by far the best song they have ever done.
-
bruitigor wrote:
The best album of 2011 so far. [3]
-
martynfm wrote:
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.
-
MaylsonUFMS wrote:
The best album of 2011 so far. [2]
-
joaotsantos wrote:
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
-
OmaRockR wrote:
Stop comparing The Dears with other bands, specially the voice of Murray. The Dears sounds like The Dears. PERIOD
-
InASafePlace wrote:
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!
-
tinybluebox wrote:
Borderline on Monday was the best gig I've ever been to. Shook Natalia's hand and said thanks for everything.
-
kotohime wrote:
I saw them live yesterday, they were soooo awesome! I had a great evening!
-
shawzie16 wrote:
This band sucks.
-
Seano_67 wrote:
Oh yeah, and Find Our Way To Freedom = WOW. What a song, and I love the way these guys make use of the piano in their music.
-
Seano_67 wrote:
Love the singer's voice. It reminds me of the singer from Elbow, which is never a bad thing. Good stuff, and very creative too with some of the instrumentation and orchestral elements to their music.
-
Avantgardian wrote:
It's a good listen. "No Cities Left" is still my favorite but all their albums are listenable and fun.
-
juepucta wrote:
Great gig last night. I think they managed to convert some people that didn't know of them and just happened to be there.
Videos
See more
Events
-
Mar
21
Canadian Music Fest 2012
Downtown Toronto, Toronto, Canada
60 going
16 shouts
- Mar 22 CMF: SiriusXM Salutes Quebec El Mocambo, Toronto ON, Canada
News
Murray Lightburn in Montreal on 11/25/11
25 Nov 2011 | from www.thedears.org
Artist: Murray Lightburn
Date: Friday, November 25th 2011
Time: 7:00pm
City: Montreal
Venue: Bain Mathieu
Country: CA
Buy tickets
Notes: POP Montreal & Save the Children Canada
…
-
Rob Benvie in Person on 10/02/11
2 Oct 2011 | from www.thedears.org -
The Dears in Toronto on 08/06/11
6 Aug 2011 | from www.thedears.org -
The Dears in Guelph, ON on 07/22/11
22 Jul 2011 | from www.thedears.org
Listening Now
Top Listeners
-
Anewkeitaro
Top Listener
-
ericroberts
Top Listener
-
PresquePoule
Top Listener
-
mushroombrain
Top Listener
Recent Activity
-
Pulch, djdonho and nifroe added The Dears to their libraries. Wednesday morning
-
Kicki68 tagged The Dears with ‘indie’. Tuesday evening
-
yookyook added The Dears to the lineup of Canadian Music Fest 2012 at Downtown Toronto. Monday evening
-
yookyook added The Dears to the lineup of CMF: SiriusXM Salutes Quebec at El Mocambo. Monday evening
-
Jana_Kocurikova, Themidastouch66, leticiatiemg and 31 other people added The Dears to their libraries. Sunday evening
-
martinapek tagged The Dears with ‘slsk’. last month
-
martinapek and ilyaduvent added The Dears to their libraries. last month
-
DJH30 wrote about The Dears in Top 25 Albums of 2011. last month
-
ujimarkuji, susansweater and vperreault82 added The Dears to their libraries. last month
-
disimo79 tagged The Dears with alternative and indie. last month
Related Journals
-
Top 25 Albums of 2011
by DJH30 |
15 Jan 2012
-
2011 Top Albums
by CBondra |
10 Jan 2012
-
The best 2011
by scalder2 |
2 Jan 2012
Groups (95)
-
For Fans Of The Dears
68 members
-
Music is my boyfriend.
29,821 members
-
PETA - People for the Eating of Tasty Animals
9,105 members
-
Grey's Anatomy Music
4,544 members
-
I Hate Early Mornings
3,886 members
More Information
- Links
- Band Members
- Labels
