Band: Tokyo Police Club
Release: 6/2010
Label: Mom+Pop

1. “Favourite Food” – B+
2. “Favourite Colour” – A-
3. “Breakneck Speed” – B–
4. “Wait Up (Boots of Danger)” – B
5. “Bambi – C+
6. “End of a Spark” – B-
7. “Hands Reversed” – B
8. “Gone” – B
9. “Big Difference” – B–
10. “Not Sick” – B
11. “Frankenstein” – A-

Comments: Tokyo Police Club is back with this, their second full length album. The band’s debut Elephant Shell contained a few quirky personal favorites like the semi-punk “In A Cave,” the epically poppy “Juno,” the post-punk-to-the-brim “Citizens of Tomorrow” and “Shoulders & Arms,” and probably the band’s best (and most critically acclaimed) tune “Your English Is Good.” So after such a memorable sub-30 minute record, is a repeat in store? My first impression of this album is: vocalist Dave Monks is best handled in small chunks. He defines the band’s sound for the most part. Lucky for me, I think his voice is pretty tolerable, but over-thinking it…quite annoying. He never really got old on Elephant Shell, yet he is the same Dave Monks on here. He still has a way with words. He hasn’t lost that. Another thing I just thought of: if you’ve never liked this band, you never will. Nope, not on this album. That’s how divisive they are. There aren’t many great songs (if any) on here. It’s too bad. Most of it is average or just barely good.

Grade: B (84)