Album review: Tokyo Police Club 'Champ'

Considering their fairly young age, you’d almost expect Tokyo Police Club’s new release Champ to display (albeit unintentionally) rather immature and unrefined qualities. In reality, what we find ourselves presented with is a developed sound that craftily manages to retain a sense of awkward adolescence. This is one thing that makes them so appealing; whether those angst-filled teenage years were two or twenty years ago, we’ve all been through them and can totally empathise when lead singer Dave Monks recalls the experiences of youth in the lyrics.

Funnily enough, for a band who manage to pull off maturity so successfully, their song titles seem to be somewhat eager for us to perceive them in as childish light as possible. With the first two tracks entitled 'Favourite Food' and 'Favourite Colour' it seems as though we should be listening to a conversation in the school playground, rather than the workings of an up-and-coming indie rock band. Luckily, as soon as you listen to said tracks, Monks’ gnarly vocals, the distorted, bounding guitar riffs and the simmering drum beats suggest it was all just a jovial ruse of four lads temporarily trying to throw us off the scent.

'Wait Up' mixes lyrics reeking of yearning with an upbeat vocal style and harmonies which are so unbelievably catchy that as Monks implores, "what did you want me to say?" you find yourself desperately wanting to help him seek out the answer. 'Breakneck Speed' possesses fluctuating twangs and oscillating vocals that would make this album prime material for an American teen drama soundtrack, and their quintessential indie-pop will undoubtedly be echoing around Frat houses for the forseeable future. 'Bambi' takes proceedings up a notch with a fast bleeping riff whizzing throughout and demonstrates that they’re not afraid to veer away from a formula they know works successfully, although it would have been nice to see this aspect explored slightly further.

Yes, this Canadian quartet may have lumbered themselves with a name they’re slightly embarrassed about, but their unassuming instrumentals and Monks’ nonchalant, drawling vocals leave the listener coveting their style. Who the hell cares if they name songs after frivolous subjects - this band oozes cool out of every possible pore and theirs is one club I most definitely want to be a part of.




This review was originally posted on www.culturedeluxe.com