Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer

Yeah I'm loving this new album. Although it sounds at times more like a new Sunset Rubdown album than anything, it's not quite as ball to the walls phonically insane as that side project but it's certainly a departure from some of the more pared down work in Queen Mary (Modern World being a great example).

Then again I'm not complaining as I'm massive Sunset Rubdown fan (I got into Wolf Parade after finding out that Sunset Rubdown was a side project of theirs).

I've been listening to that album for 2 straight weeks, and while it's less catchy than Apologies, it's more deep and complex. I'm more of a Krug guy, but both singers are really solid, and the album achieve it's apex right at the end with Kissing the Beehive. They manage to make a 11 minute song pass so quickly it's mindnumbing and is the proof that while I enjoy Sunset Rubdown and a bit of Handsome Furs, Wolf Parade is the best these guys can do, and it's amazing. Between that and the new Sigur Ros, it's a strong summer.

California Dreamer is the new I'll Believe in Anything.

And they're going on tour, and I've seen them once before right at their creation, opening for Arcade Fire, and they deliver.

07-07: Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom
07-08: Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
07-09: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
07-12: Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
07-13: Seattle, WA @ Marymoor Park (subpop festival)
07-15: Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
07-17: San Francisco, Ca @ Fillmore
07-18: Hollywood, CA @ The Music Box at the Fonda
07-19: Hollywood, CA @ The Music Box at the Fonda
07-20: San Diego, CA @ Cane’s
07-21: Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
07-24: Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom
07-25: Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa
07-26: Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
07-28: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
07-29: Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle-Disco Rodeo
07-30: Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
07-31: New York, NY @ Terminal 5
08-01: New York, NY @ Terminal 5
08-02: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
08-03: Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
08-09: Toronto, ON @ Koolhaus

Going out to grab the LP now. Big fan of all things Dan and Spencer. And they are amazing live, so I'm going to be at that Boston show hell or high water.

Anyone else pick it up on vinyl yet? I'm curious about the sound quality. Sup Pop's pressings aren't always the best...

Exactly my thoughts. I'm glad it's these guys that did it, too.

Yeah, it's good. I'm not sure I'd say it's as good as Queen Mary (at least not yet) as no songs are jumping right out at me, but as an album it works really well (which is surprising, considering how different the songwriters are becoming). I think what helps is that they both have unique but similar voices.

It's less catchy, but more cohesive. Still, by the 3rd listen I had California Dreamer stuck in my head for good.

I like the constant tempo changes the best. That always hooks me into songs and it happens quite a few times here. Good stuff.

One nitpicking thing: the cover art is simply awful.

No shit.

It has to be intentional, but why?

The only thing I can think of is to contrast the deliberate pattern of Queen Mary's cover art. There was a neatness and order to that one (as there was to the music too). This album is a little more chaotic, less ordered, a little more frantic and a lot messier. So, with respects to that, it makes sense.

It's still bad, though. The vinyl comes with a similar insert by the same artists (painting on one side, blank on the other) that would have been better, although its still not very good.

Don't forget the added tug from Issac Brock--his sound is all over that album (and not in a bad way, I just think it adds to that stress you notice).

I'm listening to the new record right now and I'm really loving it so far. Like you said, much more of a uniform sound this time around. And so far (granted, I'm only half way through) more consistently good this time around.