Read & Listen

Islands - Vapours
[Anti-, 2009]

New album by Canadian indie-rockers Islands is a definite joy. Easy but not airy, cheerful but not too noisy. On their third LP we’ll notice the return of the drummer J’aime Tambeur (who wasn’t there on the second album). By the way, compared to their sophomore Arm’s Way (2008), Vapours sound more joyful (and, hence, less gloomy). In general, the sound can hardly be called indie anymore - when a whole cohort of bands and artists follow the route of guitar-and-electronic sounds. Still, Nick Thorburn and co maybe can’t be called unique, but they’re surely not stealing anything. Disarming the Car Bomb, On Foreigner, Switched On - these tracks and more make you listen in. Attractive rhythms, energetically saturated guitars and decent lyrics - all this is not far-fetched, but genuine and organic. Not boring at all.

Read & Listen:
Islands Myspace
Islands - Vapours mp3 (from Pitchfork)