Billed as the next Arcade Fire and having been discovered by Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse, Montreal’s Wolf Parade already has major expectations attached to it. But living up to this forced-upon hype might not be too difficult. The band admittedly poaches from Pixies, Bowie and even Modest Mouse circa 1997, so the recipe for success in this day and age is all there.
“Apologies to the Queen Mary” is Wolf Parade’s first album for anyone — no smaller, micro indie releases for these guys — and it shows why Sub Pop went out on a limb. Throughout, it’s a hodgepodge of songwriting — a myriad of electronic sounds lurking in the background of electric guitars and pounding drum beats.
The band comes off as amped and abrasive on songs like “You Are a Runner and I am My Father’s Son” and “We Built Another World.” The group also slows things down and tests the pop waters on “Grounds for Divorce.” What listeners will most notably fixate on, and what will probably end up making or breaking one’s opinion, is lead singer Dan Boeckner’s voice. It’s harsh and high-pitched most of the time, and his willingness to harmonize is minimal.
Overall, “Apologies” is a strong debut to which indie lovers will surely gravitate. More importantly though, it is a fine, quirky entrance that hints at a band poised for bigger things down the road.
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