Stars of the Lid is a band specializing in drone-based ambient music. They list among their influences minimalist and electronic composers such as Arvo Pärt , Zbigniew Preisner, Gavin Bryars, and Henryk Górecki, as well as Talk Talk, post-rock artists Labradford, and ambient innovator Brian Eno. Their music largely consists of beatless soundscapes, composed of droning, effects-treated guitars along with piano, strings, and horns; volume swells and feedback fill the gap of rhythmic instruments, providing dynamic movement within the songs.

Formed in Austin, Texas, the band has two members — Brian McBride and Adam Wiltzie. Both have released solo material, the former under his own name and the latter under the The Dead Texan alias. Their 2001 album, a double-LP named “The Tired Sounds of…”, was released to generally positive reviews. The follow up, another double-disc album, was released on Chicago’s venerable Kranky Records - the label’s milestone 100th release, catalogue number-wise— on April 2, just a few days before Easter. It’s called Stars of the Lid and Their Refinement of the Decline.