The only thing that is stopping me from calling this one of my favorite albums of the year is that it is actually an EP. Besides that, it’s great; I can’t get enough of the new release by these future rock stars from Toronto. They have all the exuberance and mayhem of The Cold War Kids, but with more flat-out energy and general rockingness. Not only can they rock (have I mentioned that they rock?) they fashion nice little pop lyrics as well, such as the hook on one of my new favorite songs, ‘when we kiss, my stars align,’ from “Cut, Cut, Paste.” This should appeal to a very wide audience as well, with elements of Death Cab, the aforementioned Cold War Kids, and a bit of old-school punk (I hear some Buzzcocks and Generation X). As if all of this isn’t enough, “A Lesson in Crime” is a really gorgeous piano ballad with a melody that just kills. Easily one of my favorite recent releases, and as good as it is, they are supposed to be even better live, so, I’m anointing them ready for rockstardom.
- - William Carey
