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The quartet Tokyo Police Club from Newmarket, Ontario,
Canada, have some Britpop action happening in their pop/rock modems.
They are a blend of the '80s New Order and 2000's Bloc
Party. The average age among band members David Monks
(lead singer/bassist), Joshua Hook (guitarist), Graham
Wright (keyboards), and Greg Alsop (drummer) is about
20 years old, falling between 19 and 21. The Canadian troupe has
released their debut EP entitled A Lesson In Crime. The
songs have lively handclapping beats along synth-textured guitar
vibrations similarly to The Kooks. There are a lot of laudable
elements in their music but their sound is still undistinguishable
compared to other synth-rock bands like Q & Not U,
The Futureheads, Stereohonics, and The Zutons.
Their EP starts off with a twinkling number "Cheer It On",
frocked by lively percussion beats and shimmering guitar vibrations.
The album proceeds into more excitable synth and guitar action
with "Nature Of The Experiment" and "Citizens Of
Tomorrow." The band relies on their rhythm sections to incite
movement out their audience and their keyboard and guitar swirls
to awe the listener. They use their chord stunts to swoon people,
the way a magician uses props to excite an audience. Tokyo Police
Club's music is made to stir a reaction from people like their
tune "Shoulders & Arms" which fastens Xiu Xiu
like bubbles along Les Georges Leningrad-style keyboard
enchantments. There is an experimental factor in their music like
the lancing guitar sequences trussed up to spiraling keyboard
shadows like on the tracks "If It Works" and "Be
Good." The chords are stressed and spiral glamorously, creating
a whirlwind atmosphere that draws people into its center.
Their EP is a good effort and excellent for a crowd around their
own age who are hearing these multi-dimensional synth tones for
the first time. But whether the Tokyo Police Club have staying
power... only time will tell if they can mature beyond this point.
Their EP can be lumped in with other synth-rock bands. Their experimental
phrases are swirling and enchant audiences for the first time,
but much like a magician, the enchantment wears off unless there
is more to their craftiness.
-Susan Frances
Track listing:
1. Cheer It On
2. Nature Of The Experiment
3. Citizens Of Tomorrow
4. Shoulders & Arms
5. If It Works
6. Be Good
7. La Ferrassie
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