Plants And Animals — Parc Avenue

People might grab Montreal trio Plants And Animals' Parc Avenue because they reside on the much vaunted Secret City imprint, but it's their music that'll ensure the disc doesn't leave their stereo. Their adept confluence of melodious pop, post-rock and folk is further bolstered by the vocals shared by all three indelibly talented band members. The swelling chorus of piano driven "Bye Bye Bye" opens the record like a James Bond movie — explosive and visceral, leaving you wondering how they're gonna top what just flooded your ears. But more often than not, they continually best themselves. Parc Avenue is populated with songs like the propulsive and unrestrained "Mercy," whose stuttering guitar riff and ebullient chorus of handclaps and horns serves as a sort of rallying call for the record. Plants And Animals have made a bold statement in Parc Avenue that's sure to warrant attention on its merits alone.

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