Tokyo Police Club's debut LP, Elephant Shell brings the listener back to the start of the millennium when the new wave/post-punk revival thrived. It was a time when roof-hitting road trip tracks were limitless and merited listing on any post-punk enthusiast's personal soundtrack. Dance-leading bands such as Bloc Party, The Strokes, and New Young Pony Club left you either wanting more or happily crying with relief. Clubs grabbed onto the hype, featuring nights when punk and dance could joyfully mingle without hoards of happy devotees moshing the place to shreds.

Elephant Shell holds true to this time in music with its signature ethereal guitar and keyboard blend, sharp beats, and head-bobbing melodies. This young, Canadian foursome has created an album that focuses less on shadowy angst and more on lyrics that exude a release of colorful energy tamed with youthful wisdom. It is a natural evolution from their successful 2007 A Lesson In Crime EP.

"In a Cave" bursts with a beat reminiscent of less somber Cure favorites while "The Harrowing Adventures of?" ventures off, possessing the warmth of an east coast lullaby.  However, if I said this album was completely unique, my pants would light on fire. And yet, whatever the myriad of their music influences have been, they have brought Tokyo Police Club to a solid place within this genre. It is best listened to in its entirety and to be considered adding to your collection if you wish to mark this time in your life.

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TPC - "Tessellate"

Tokyo Police Club is currently set to play Canada's Jingle Bell Rock. Want tickets to the show? Enter our Jingle Bell Rock contest.