Chat Review: Wolf Parade - Expo 86
By You Can't Hear it on the Radio
You Can't Hear it on the Radio is a blog about the current golden age of music. At no time since the 1960s has there been such an output of quality music by so many varied artists. Add to that technology that makes it easier than ever for the curious to find good music today. But, like an unlimited selection at an all-you-can-eat buffet, there's no table service. You will have to seek it out. The old model is dead. Generally speaking, you can't hear it on the radio. You can learn about it here, though.
Noah: At first listen, Wolf Parade’s 2010 album Expo 86 seems to be an inferior album to their previous work, particularly their acclaimed full-length debut, 2005’s Apologies to the Queen Mary.
Steve: I think it's less risky than both prior albums, but their sound is fuller.
Noah: I was concerned that the respective side projects of frontmen Spencer Krug (Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake, Moonface) and Dan Boeckner (Handsome Furs) had sapped their enthusiasm for collaborating in Wolf Parade. Is Wolf Parade now the side project?
Steve: Expo 86 is an "accomplished" album, would be kind of the first word that comes to mind - these guys are working on a plane all their own these days, and the side projects you mention are included in that.
Noah: I agree. For me 2008’s At Mount Zoomer was not a huge progression after the masterful Apologies…, but it certainly continued the tone and sound. So on first listen, my first reaction to Expo 86 was disappointment.
It seemed tossed off and reportedly was quickly recorded. Without question, Expo 86 sounds more polished and lacking anything that compares to Apologies to the Queen Mary’s “Grounds for Divorce”. But as is often the case with interesting and complicated music, with Expo 86 first listen was wrong.
Steve: The thing I love about Wolf Parade in general, which this album has in spades, is how they give you one thing and then subvert it within the very same song.
Like the tempo shift at the end of Palm Road is a good example of what I'm getting at.
Noah: The interplay between Boeckner and Krug seems more solid on Expo 86 than their previous stuff.
The more I listen, the more I realize that Expo 86 is a monster. It's just relentlessly hooky.
Steve: I definitely agree about Krug. Wolf Parade reins in his kookier aspects. I was not as big a fan of Dragonslayer as you were.
Noah: Boeckner's more straightforward (and driving) rock guitar influence makes a huge difference with Krug's more out there tendencies.
Steve: They complete each other.
Noah: The evolution from album to album makes Expo 86 their most cohesive, consistent, relentlessly catchy album.
Steve: Krug is Tom Cruise to Dan's Renee Zellweger.
Noah: Picking between Krug and Boeckner's songs on a Wolf Parade album is like picking my favorite Wilco album...it changes from day-to-day.
You mentioned "Palm Road" earlier, that might be my favorite song from Expo 86.
Continued:
1
2
Print this column
