If you haven’t had enough of hyped new bands from the Great White North yet, Toronto’s Tangiers would love it if you paid some attention to them. Technically, Tangiers is a duo. But, keys and drums are sprinkled throughout this record for a full-band feel, so don’t let them fool you.
On its third full-length in three years, Tangiers makes a concerted effort at developing catchy indie hooks and for the most part succeeds. At times, when Josh Reichmann takes the lead on vocals, he sounds a little Britpop, as on “Your Pristine Hands” and “The Family Myth.” Elsewhere, “That Russian Bastard” and “The Coast Guard” dive into that “urban-urgency” sound that the Walkmen have perfected, Calla has flirted with and some say the Strokes have lost. If Tangiers perfects its poppier maneuvers and smartens up a bit lyrically, something special could be down the road. — Michael D. Ayers