When we last left our heroic adventurers, they had released their second album, At Mount Zoomer. While it was at points an uneven mess, it contained some absolutely brilliant songs. Since their debut, people have always said that Wolf Parade was more a product of its parts (specifically keyboardist/vocalist Spencer Krug and Guitarist/vocalist Dan Boeckner) than a whole machine. Expo 86 is the first album by Wolf Parade that has felt even remotely like a fully cohesive band. So without further ado, let's dig into this bad boy.
Here is the Grooveshark Link
Track 1. Cloud Shadow on the Mountain
A very abrupt opening to an album. No instrumental intro, just Krug blaring his vocalized wail with no warning. Not the best choice for an opening track, but overall not a bad song at all. It is definitely a very Spencer Krug powered song though (I should probably admit I've always favored him over Boeckner). You can certainly feel shades of his solo project, Sunset Rubdown, within. Like many Krug songs, it begins to ramble a little to much towards the end.
Verdict 8/10
Track 2. Palm Road
Boeckner's turn. A very straight forward rock song, as is his wont. The stylistic change halfway through the song really picks it up, with a little keyboard work added in, it becomes a better song than it started.
8/10
Track 3: What Did My Lover Say (It Always Had To Be This Way)
The first real epic song. Starts with a very noticeable guitar riff, with the keys coming in soon after. Possibly Krug's best lyricism on the album ( "I don't think I should be sorry for things I do in dreams"). So far, the most well balanced song that they may have put together since their debut.
10/10
Track 4: Little Golden Age
Again, Boeckner plays the straight man to Krug's wild card. One of the more anthemic songs on the album. Strong lyrically also. Only a slightly weaker showing than the last track.
9/10
Track 5: In The Direction of the Moon
I am absolutely in love with the instrumental-ism in this song. Lyrics are again strong. Spencer Krug is really bringing it this album. A sprawling masterpiece.
10/10
Track 6: Ghost Pressure
Not a bad song, but certainly a little weaker than the last couple of great tracks. Similar in many ways to In The Direction of the Moon.
7/10
Track 7: Pobody's Nerfect
Looks Like Boeckner finally found his song. As strong as any Krug song so far. His best lyrical showing so far, and also greatly mixed musically. Dan finally gets a 10
10/10
Track 8: Two Men in New Tuxedos
My least favorite track on the album. Very weak chorus (hey teacher, love is never dead???). Seems like it should have been a b-side at best.
4/10
Track 9: Oh You, Old Thing
You run into this problem with some albums. At some point the songs begin to sound like songs that have happened before. It can easily be the mark of a bad album. Wolf Parade managed to make it to almost the end of their album before it got to be a real problem. This isn't a bad song, just to similiar to its brothers.
6/10
Track 10: Yulia
Boeckner is able to break up the monotony some with an upbeat songs with a woman's name. Mostly about space travel, it has a little of that "Major Tom" feel to it. Certainly a nice change of pace.
7/10
Track 11: Cave-O-Sapien
A sprawling mess of a song. Fun at some points, but over matched in others. If it was slightly more cohesive it could have been a really good song. But still, not so bad.
7/10
Cohesiveness Score: 7/10
Total: 103/120
Final Score: 8.6/10
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