This is not ground breaking, by no means seminal and certainly not going to have mass critical acclaim. What it is however, is an intelligently crafted short, sharp hit to the face of well written, punchy, acerbic power guitar pop. If Maximo Park are the acceptable face of the commercial branch of this genre, then Tokyo Police Club are the underground darlings and with 'Elephant Shell', they are releasing a truly brilliant debut effort.

On the back of an incredible EP or two, TPC have made sure their foundations are sturdy, and useable. Through the development of the ideas on their 'Lesson n Crime EP', we have an LP where re-recorded versions of songs from said EP are thankfully not a feature. The album positively seeps exuberance from every pore.

The influences are wiped on their sleeves like a snot ridden oik in kindergarten; The Smiths, REM, Gang of Four… a high

pedigree to work towards indeed and with nearly every song screaming to be released as a single, owing to the infectious nature of their sound. Sadly there is one duffer of a track where schmaltzy drivel has somehow wound its way onto the Master, but we can forgive such discretions in light of great tracks like the pulsating, hand-clapped 'Tessellate' and the catchy-as-hell 'Your English is Good'.

'Graves' is another deftly executed track that has a Spinto Band ring to it and is tightly wound like a spinning top. As all the tracks are rapid-fire artillery shots, the album is a brief experience but a sweet and enjoyable whirlwind which is sure to translate well in a live setting. This is the kind of album that if you have a spare £10 and are tipped over the edge of intrigue that you will do well to buy and you too will fall in love with and be arrested by the recorded adventures of Tokyo Police Club. “There's no fun in playing cowboys for pretend.”

Review by James Ainsworth
www.tokyopoliceclub.com / www.memphis-industries.com