CD Reviews

Wolf Parade

At Mount Zoomer | Sub Pop

By BEN WESTHOFF | June 24, 2008

4.0 Stars

In the almost three years since Wolf Parade’s stunning debut, Apologies to the Queen Mary, the band’s songwriters, Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug, have released solid albums with their side projects that nonetheless made their fans desperate for more Wolf Parade. At Mount Zoomer will satisfy them, jumping out of the box as it does with five consecutive frenzied bangers, from the synth-driven warm-up, “Soldier’s Grin,” to “California Dreamer,” which will inspire awe among even those who aren’t Jethro Tull fans. Indeed, much has been made of the album’s proggy tendencies, and there are moments of meandering stoner rock on “Fine Young Cannibals” and “Kissing the Beehive” (the latter clocking in at well over 10 minutes). But the bulk of the tracks favor Boeckner’s accessible instrumentation and choruses over Krug’s esoteric experiments. At Mount Zoomer will give you those same goosebumps you felt when you heard the band’s debut.

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Topics: CD Reviews , Fine Young Cannibals, Jethro Tull, Wolf Parade, More

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