New Releases: Japandroids

Courtesy of JapandroidsVancouver has long had a tradition of producing quality rock bands, including Skinny Puppy, Front Line Assembly, The New Pornographers, and Hot Hot Heat. The latest addition to the list are Japandroids, a two-man band made up of Brian King and David Prowse. Following on the back of their two self-released EP's comes their debut album, Post-Nothing which finally gets a US release this week.

Despite having only 8 tracks, Post-Nothing starts with a bang and never loses its momentum. The Boys Are Leaving Town opens the album with a crunch of guitars and drum rolls before launching into their sparse but exuberantly catchy lyrics. Young Hearts Spark Fire continues with a burst of post-teenage-angst with its loudly declared and oft repeated line "We used to dream/now we worry about dying".

The frenetic pace continues unabated until Rockers East Vancouver. Midway through the track there's a breakdown where the pace slows and the guitars get heavier. This gives us a glimpse of the tracks that follow as this sound is continued on Hearts Sweats and Crazy/Forever. The album closes with the moody I Quit Girls, a slow but loud homage to losing the perfect girl.

Japandroids never seem to take themselves too seriously, and as a result, Post-Nothing is 35 minutes of gloriously loud, fun, catchy rock 'n roll. Post-Nothing is available directly from Polyvinyl Records, iTunes, or other independent record stores.