I have always loved Wolf Parade. Their two previous albums are classics. Well, Apologies to the Queen Mary much more so than At Mount Zoomer. But, still, both very strong albums. On their second album, At Mount Zoomer, it was easy to begin recognizing the difference in the sounds and styles of the two lead singers Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner. This lead to a small breakdown in the second album.
Once Wolf Parade hit it "big" I went in search of the other albums Krug and Boeckner were part of. I found Krug on Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake, and Frog Eyes. Boeckner created the group Handsome Furs with his girlfriend/fiance. Having experienced both of these vocalist in their 'other' bands made it easier to recognize the singers on Wolf Parade. Their lyrical powers, their vocal strengths, etc. Partially this caused a problem. Wolf Parade no longer felt like a band... more like a super group (ie, The New Pornographers).
On their 3rd release, the same issues are found. I can pick out which song belongs to which singer based on the opening sounds. I want something a little fresh. I don't want their solo work infused into this band. But, that is what you get. So, you have to make peace and enjoy the music. Luckily, I still like the music. A lot of the songs are pretty much background music. Nothing lyrically stands out and nothing musically is demanding attention. Although, I adore the songs 'Oh You, Old Thing' and 'Ghost Pressure.'
The strangest thing about this album... how much the folk/rock sounds remind me of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. This isn't a bad thing, just a strange thing. Something unexpected. And, only a few songs/sounds/pieces remind me of Hedwig. But, enough lingers in the songs to make me think about it every time I listen.
B-
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