Band: Japandroids
Release: 2009

Comments: Sounding like a noisier, less polished Weirdo Rippers, Japandroids have put themselves alongside other noise rock greats with Post-Nothing. With just a guitarist and a drummer, the duo looks like and produces music very similar to the prolific L.A based No Age. Fast guitar riffs and hard drumming result in a noisy-power-pop combination that not only makes your ears bleed, but makes you want to dance. It’s not really surprising that the pop-punk at show is engaging, though slightly repetitive. Drawing inspiration from the modern day garage rock revival scene is “Heart Sweets”; nevertheless  the album title suggests that classifying its contents into specific genres is not exactly a wise choice. The half instrumental “Crazy/Forever” is the album’s longest offering, clocking in at 6:01 and resembling early Glass Jaw. One thing that sort of troubles this album is the relatively quiet vocals that are dis-empowered by the heavy instrumentation.

Top Songs:
“The Boys Are Leaving Town”
“Heart Sweets”

Grade: 7.8 out of 10

The Japandroids are playing at the Great Scott in Allston, MA with Atlanta psych-punk group Coathangers on October 5.