on 2010-09-24 dscanland Said:

I do have to change my earlier comment. I'm really enjoying Champ now! Gave it some extra listens and it is indeed one of my favorite albums this year.
Rating: 8/10

on 2010-08-09 dscanland Said:

Just started listening to this album and really can't help but feel I'm listening to a bit poppier Weakerthans album. Its good but I can't disassociate this album from The Weakerthans.
Rating: 8/10

on 2010-07-07 kev_stev Said:

absolutely love this album so far. definitely a standout this year.
Rating: 9/10

Review:

on 2010-06-27 cavalierfan72 Said:

I came into this review with a clean slate. I had never listened to the band before, and that allows me to convey my opinion without a bias in one direction or the other. Its important to analyze a record on its own merits, not the merits of the releases that preceded it (e.g. the complaints many have for new Metallica records versus old).

That being said, I find that the lead singer has a very welcoming and comforting tone. Its not abrasively loud or foreign to the genre. The problem with his vocal style is that he has a tendency to border on monotony. No one would buy a record with Ben Stein as the lead singer.

My biggest problem with Champ is that there is no stand out track. While the album is viable enough to be playing in the background without causing me to turn it off, I will not find myself humming any of these tunes after I m done with it. Dont get me wrong, a hit song isnt necessary to create an enjoyable and commercially viable record. However, I think this record is far too middle of the road. Theres nothing happening here that makes this band stand out from the rest of the pack.

For those interested in previewing the album for themselves, I recommend listening to Frankenstein. Although I wasnt blown away by any song on the album, this song is my favorite from Champ. The lyrics speak volumes to their musical creativity, as they are largely the most successful element of this band. However, I feel that the lack of energy and the lack of memorable songs will keep this band from reaching a new level of success on Saddle Creek.

Rating: 5/10
Rating: 5/10

Review:

on 2010-06-25 mark_morton Said:

Round Two for Ontarios Tokyo Police Club (TPC) sees the band headed in a more streamlined and confident direction than its 2008 debut, Elephant Shell.

That album suffered from a string of faults, which could be chalked up to the bands relative inexperience. Greg Alsops drumming was more overtly energetic than the rest of the band. Singer Dave Monks sugar-coated vocal style betrayed any emotion he might have been trying to convey. And lastly, the band defied the basics of songwriting in that they never really completed a musical thought. Nearly every song on Elephant Shell lacked an Act III or any kind of resolution.

On Champ, Tokyo Police Club has taken great strides to correct those inconsistencies, has become a stronger band, and daresay has successfully circumvented the sophomore blues.

While Champ retains the formula of a no-frills indie band, TPC makes some adventurous choices in its musicianship. The instruments are firing on all cylinders, and the energy is balanced among each member. At times, especially notable on Breakneck Speed, the band takes on a charming, indie pop sensibility, akin to Your Vegas.

However, the one thing persistent thorn is the vocals. Although Monks has adopted a new, more relaxed vocal style, he often sounds bored when he should be emoting. This is an issue that plagues most modern indie bands - a complete disconnect from conviction in the vocal performance. How is an audience supposed to react to the singer if he doesnt sound like he believes what he is saying?

That minor point aside, the band has really begun to find its niche in this post-alternative rock era. TPC is developing a forward-thinking throwback attitude, almost affecting modernized facets of The Cure or Psychedelic Furs without falling headfirst into stylized kitsch.

Rating 6/10
Rating: 6/10

Review:

on 2010-06-22 Carlito Said:

Its always a good sign when you can listen to the same album twice, back to back, and still want to hear it again to catch what you missed. Champ is a solid effort all the way through. I didnt find any reason for returning fans of Tokyo Police Club to be disappointed. It stands well on its own when measured against their previous releases, A Lesson in Crime and Elephant Shell. Though I would argue there is a subtle growth spurt in Champ. Its the kind of maturity in sound and style you hear from a band that has already proved themselves. No worries, they dont stray too far from their bread and butter of fun danceable pop/rock tunes.

Favourite Food opens it up with a hard left and right panning intro of synthesized buzzing followed by a beautiful acoustic ballad. Its almost Dylan-ish for a couple of minutes until they pick up the pace and give the listener a little preview for the energy that will be sustained for the rest of the album.

Theres no short of clever  and often humorous - lyrics either. Favourite Colour has some of my favorite lines,  We stay up as late as we like, like KC & Jojo, like Sonny and Cher, youre Tina but Im not Ike.

All in all, 8 out of 10 stars from me. Some other noteworthy songs are: Hands Reversed, Wait up (Boot of Danger), and Bambi. But there arent any filler tracks here. Its evident that TPC should have no problem enjoying a long and fulfilling career in music -  an enjoyment we will all have a part of.
Rating: 8/10

Review:

on 2010-06-22 PaperDollFace Said:

"It's good to be back..."

A well anticipated follow-up to their 2008 LP, Elephant Shell, Tokyo Police Club's latest release, Champ, has already proven itself to be a title-worthy winner.

Opening track "Favourite Food," sets the album's tone, but sneakily not until the second half of the song. There's a detectable hint of growth right off the bat as it transforms from a simple intro track into a delicious up tempo pop tune. Even though the formula seems recognizable (gradually building rhythms and upbeat tempos) it's easy to anticipate that each song to follow will be a step away from the TPC we're already so familiar with.

It's hard not to play along once the toe-tapping beat strikes up in "Bambi," an electro-pop mix that combines impressive guitar melodies, clever hooks and start-stop rhythms into a well-blended dance anthem. Don't be surprised when you find yourself clapping along in triplicate form before even finishing the first go-round.

"Your only souvenir is a suitcase full of sand...But when you feel like you're a million, then I feel like I'm a grand," Monks croons in the crush worthy "Hands Reversed." The album's most ballad-esque track is as devastatingly gentle as a warm summer breeze, carrying a sound reminiscent of days spent blowing dandelions into the wind, while drowning subtly in the words of a heartbreaking childhood romance.

As semi-solid as it is, the entire album bears no preparation for the second to last track, "Frankenstein," as it peels back the curtain to show the growth that TPC has undergone in the last two years. Jumping right into a startling, all-encompassing melody with deep bass undertones, hypnotic beats and synthesized instrumentation, "Frankenstein" churns out a sound that's capable of sending goose bumps right down your spine, ten seconds in. I only wish they would have saved this gem to be the final track, as it teases in anticipation for what TPC might have in store next time around...

Champ finds Tokyo Police Club crossing over into a new era; a band noticeably more comfortable in their own skin, having lengthened their songs, strengthened their construction and explored their own capabilities. This record takes you away to an indie-pop landscape filled with dreamy childhood innocence showing signs of maturity as it progresses, leaving you with a band that has begun to ripen, much like their sound.

- © Caroline Bolter


Rating: 7/10