Once upon a time, back in the dark ages of 2002, New York City held within its grasp the rock n’ roll championship belt. In its golden reflection were bands like the Strokes and Interpol whose stars were ablaze with so much promise that it seemed as though the NYC rock scene was in the midst of a renaissance; a new environment where CBGB’s would once again be a household name and the overwhelmingly exotic feeling that comes with playing a part in a movement would engulf musicians throughout the five boroughs.
The citizens of New York have Canada to blame for bringing an end to any revolutionary hopes. In the past few years bands like The Unicorns, The New Pornographers and The Arcade Fire have all blasted into the indie-rock forum, releasing records that arguably contain some of the most innovative rock n’ roll since the Elephant 6 days of the mid to late 1990’s. The most recent Canadian act to break onto the scene, lovingly dubbed Wolf Parade, is looking to continue this trend of greatness that’s pouring out from up north.
Although their sound is a blatant reproduction of that which was created by bands like The Talking Heads, The Pixies and more recently Modest Mouse (whose very own Isaac Brock helped in the production of their upcoming Sub-Pop full length, Apologies to the Queen Mary), Wolf Parade is looking to further the learning curve from these influences and fall into a sound all their own. On their first Sub-Pop Records release, a self-titled 4 song E.P., Dan Broeckner, Spencer Krug, Hadji Bakara and Arlen Thompson deliver a small taste of what is to come and by the sound of it, what is to come is something to be looked forward to.
Their songs are danceable, lucid and temperamental with a room tone distortion being the centerpiece and the two organs (this band is sans bass, so you know) being the flanking infantry. Dan Boeckners vocals are at times frighteningly akin to those of Kurt Cobain, though his tendency to sound like Isaac Brock on occasion is a certain distraction from the terrifying melodies he has created with this four piece. The first song on this E.P., ‘Shine a Light’ (which will be a surefire indie hit if their inaugural record gets the recognition it will surely deserve), is not catchy or wonderful because of any one person in the band doing something that jumps out at you, they work seamlessly together letting the circle of melody they create become the hook while allowing all of their peripheral parts to hover around the surface.
Wolf Parade is in the process of waltzing into a bright future with Sub-Pop, though we will have to wait for their first record to hit stores and their appearance at the New York City CMJ music marathon (watch out jaded NYC.ers, the Canadians are coming) in October to see if they will become a mainstay or a blip on the screen.
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