Krug/Broekner Run Out Of Side-Projects, Spawn New Wolf Parade Album

I was immediately affected by Apologies to the Queen Mary - the debut album by Montreal group Wolf Parade - when I first heard it.

Every song had a very distinctive, rough and urgent sound, helped by the unique vocals of Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug. After that, I followed almost every side project and foray these artists were involved in. From Spencer Krug’s Frog Eyes, Sunset Rubdown and the amazing “indie super-group” Swan Lake (with one of my Album’s Of The Year - Beast Moans) to Handsome Furs, Boeckner’s “mini-group” he started with his wife last year.

With so many bands, and so many songs to write, perform and sell it’s understandable that Wolf Parade took three years to produce their sophmore album At Mount Zoomer. Three years and fifty sevens bands on, they’ve created a very rounded and mature album, but ultimately darker piece than previous offerings.

This album doesn’t have the grab-your-face singles that Apologies To Queen Mary possessed, like the anthemic Shine A Light or I’ll Believe In Anything. But that’s not the point, with the band allegedly warning Sub Pop that At Mount Zoomer would contain “no singles”. Instead you’re treated to that rare occurrence in music: a complete album. Every time I’ve listened, it’s been from the first track Soldier’s Grin… to the end, with the only weak song luckily being the last one, Kissing The Beehive. Highlight’s would have to include the single Call It Ritual and the next track Language City which is where Boeckner and Krug’s maturity and talent, in my opinion are most evident.

Wolf Parade have slowed it all down and chosen a different direction in which to take their music. Time will tell if this was a seminal moment in the bands career.

Wolf Parade - Language City

Wolf Parade - Shine A Light

Swan Lake - All Fires

Sunset Rubdown - They Took A Vote And Said No

Frog Eyes - Masticated Outboard Motors

Handsome Furs - Dead + Rural