Vancouver based Japandroids are the perfect example of garage rock done right. I mentioned this a little less than a month back here. Well I have had the chance to hear their entire debut album “Post-Nothing” and these fellas are legit. The album absolutely kills. The band is full of energy, never taking a break once. Their sound while containing plenty of noise is still drenched in melody and catchy riffs. If you had to compare a band, it would have to be No Age.
The vocals are mixed in perfectly with all the noisy guitar riffs and drums, a problem that I find in many lo-fi type bands. The album kicks off to a mammoth start with “The Boys Are Leaving Town” and “Young Hearts Spark Fire”, a one-two album opening punch that is just outstanding. “Heart Sweats” sounds like it could have been the perfect sibling to a Death From Above 1979 song. The thing that drives this album is the powerful combination of Brian and Dave working together to produce a well mannered album. Not all the songs are fronted with loud vocals. “Crazy/Forever” keeps the same garage sound but over quieter vocals. Japandroids kick the album back into rock hard mode right after that ending the album very strong. If you listen to the closing song “I Quit Girls” carefully enough you may be reminded of the guitar riff that is in Arcade Fires “Wake Up.” Well, if the AF’s version had a bit more distortion!!
“Post-Nothing” is a brief 35 minutes, but believe me when I tell you that they use every second wisely. The album is very consistent and even, with no filler. I would not be surprised if this album got glowing reviews from reviewers (pitchfork should play nice to these boys) and continued support from music blogs. These guys have released one of my favorite albums of 2009, a year which has seen many great releases!
[mp3] : Japandroids – Young Hearts Spark Fire
[mp3] : Japandroids – Heart Sweats
