Stellastarr released Harmonies for the Haunted, their second and final album under RCA, on September 13, 2005. The album received mixed reviews, with critics citing it as being a generally inferior rendition of new wave music. Additionally, the lyrics of the songs from the album were considered too personal and introverted around Christensen, which was a subject of contention for both proponents and critics of Harmonies for the Haunted. However, Christensen's progression as a singer since the debut album was praised, with his tone being noted for having matured and become more consistent beyond his shifting between falsetto and baritone vocal registers. After a four-year hiatus, Stellastarr released their third and final album, Civilized, with their personal imprint label Bloated Wife Records, on July 7, 2009. Though the album received generally mixed reviews, it was praised for being well-produced. Christensen's vocal performance was praised, with his range noted for being able to competently deliver deep bellows and high falsettos. Following the release of Civilized, Stellastarr unofficially went on indefinite hiatus.