Tokyo Police Club - Champ (Mom & Pop, 2010)
1. Favourite Food
2. Favourite Colour
3. Breakneck Speed
4. Wait Up (Boots of Danger)
5. Bambi
6. End of a Spark
7. Hands Reversed
8. Gone
9. Big Difference
10. Not Sick
11. Frankenstein
What do you guys think? I must say after my first listen I am totally let down. The most striking thing about this band was always their energy, which is why this record is so baffling for me. The spiky dance-punk rhythms and b-movie synths have been replaced with bland powerpop. Some small moments and nice bits (The guitar in "Big Difference" is fantastic) may perk interest, and the boys still have a remarkable knack for pop-punk hooks (however overused/Cheap Trick-y they may have become), it's just really sad that "End of a Spark" might end up being a pretty apt descriptor for this band so early in their career.