WOLF PARADE: AT MOUNT ZOOMER

Wolf Parade: At Mount Zoomer

Label: Sub Pop

Release Date: June 17, 2008

Montreal’s Wolf Parade builds slightly upon a rigorous sound established in their first LP, illustrating a certain level of refinement. Distinctive vocals from dynamic duo Dan Boeckner & Spencer Krug (both nurturing successful side projects) give the otherwise right-brained audibles a healthy balance. Their maturity exists in what could be called a post-modern post-punk, “Soldier’s Grin” setting this stage from the get-go. Depth is built with added instruments and and hints of progressive rock, evident for the bulk of the album and peaking at “Fine Young Cannibals”. Gears switch periodically, “The Grey Estates” could be found on a Pulp album circa ’94 for example. Instead of venturing far from the womb, WP has stood close recounting both her eeriness and warmth. At Mount Zoomer results simply in a solid list of nine tracks, easy to listen for the easy to please.

-ABC