Orphans roaming the streets of Indie Power-Pop

-COLIN DUNLOP

Album Review:

Tokyo Police Club “Elephant Shell”

Putting on "Elephant Shell" by Tokyo Police Club is a little like melting down your Death Cab For Cutie, Strokes, Motion City Soundtrack and Bloc Party albums and then playing the ensuing mash-up.

     

The foursome hails from Canada – Ontario more precisely – and currently reside on Connor Obersts' Saddle Creek Records. "Elephant Shell" is the bands first full release, coming on the heels of their EPs "A Lesson in Crime" and "Smith EP" released in '06 and '07 respectively.

    

The album opens with "Centennial," which at just under 2 minutes long feels more like a welcoming introduction than a full track – but not to their detriment. It's vocals glide effortlessly over thick bass lines and ample percussion drawing the listener in, while also setting the mood perfect for their indie-pop creation that immediately follows.

    

The songs are relatively short, with only one of them topping the 3-minute mark (the power-pop sing-along "Your English is Good"). Even the seemingly slower songs "The Harrowing Adventure" and "Listen to the Math" seem punchy in their execution and the album never seems to drag on.

    

The only downside is that listeners are left waiting for that thing that grabs them. There is no ballad that reaches Death Cab's "What Sarah Said." No song that'll stick with you for weeks like "Hard to Explain" from The Strokes. And certainly no use of keys quite like "Fell in Love Without You" from Motion City.

    

But granted these comparisons are between a freshman effort and three bands that have been at the top of their game for multiple albums.

    

Tokyo Police Club have put out a solid 11-song breeze but without those chill-bump moments. If the Club continues their evolution we'll certainly be melting their CD's down in an effort to describe the newest up-and-comers.

Check it
Tokyo Police Club - Your English is Good