Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell (2008)

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Tokyo Police Club is the only band that can work a word like 'Australopithecine' into their lyrics, and do it so seamlessly.

Garnering success from their "A Lesson in Crime" EP and "Smith" EP in 2006 and 2007 respectively, they’ve quickly risen to new indie heights with their perky sound.

"Elephant Shell" is nothing unexpected. If you’ve heard the past two EPs, what you’ll hear here is much of the same with a little bit extra - and a bonus remix disc.

But that isn’t to say its old hat, it’s still a genuinely entertaining album.

Short bursts of sound and energy pour into your ears as soon as you start up this record. All the tracks are under three minutes, with Your English is Good standing it at just over. Although this stops the songs from becoming boring, they’re just so good that you WANT to hear more. When the album clocks in at around 28 minutes, any disappointment may be a result of its short lifespan, not its content.

TPC comparisons to The Strokes are dually noted with their driving guitar and keyboard synth sometimes reminiscent of The Klaxons.

Monks stumbles out self conscious lyrics which swell, with imagery from lost childhood to giants, all carefully woven into TPC’s storytelling with Your English is Good is clearly the best with it’s fuller sounding song which has been slightly tweaked since its initial single release.

The remix disc includes 5 songs remixed by the likes of Dntel, The Good Life and Field Music. They put a bit of a Postal Service Spin on some of the songs but its nothing to really get excited about, if anything they slow the songs down.

Like their EP’s, Tokyo Police Club’s full length debut "Elephant Shell" delivers energy in spades and music that is a catalyst for bouts of dancing, but is way too short for sound this good.

RATING: 4 out of 5

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