The Awkward Stage — Heaven Is For Easy Girls

It's a great name for a band. But there's nothing awkward at all about this fairly stunning collection of indie power-pop gems. Fronted by Shane Nelken, whose musical talents have previously been called upon by numerous Vancouver acts, including A.C. Newman and Tennessee Twin, The Awkward Stage sound like a marriage between Snow Patrol and The New Pornographers (not coincidentally, the record was produced by NP's Kurt Dahle). With coy titles like "I Love You, My Hipster Darling" and "The Morons Are Winning," Nelken illustrates his mastery of the pop art form with songs that alternately croon, flow and explode from the speakers. Heaven Is For Easy Girls is a melodic delight that will make you smile and groove.

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