Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains — Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains

If you're like me, you're still coming to terms with the fact that Death From Above 1979 is DFE (dead forever). Fortunately, DFA's former elephant-nosed vocalist/drummer has come back around to take us out on the town and help us move on with our lives. Conveniently, he's also crafted a 12-track power pop soundtrack for our joyful recovery. As somebody who appreciates lo-fi dirt and crashing noise I was initially put off by the album's polish. It took a couple of listens before I stopped yearning for hints of You're A Woman, I'm A Machine and learned to appreciate this finely crafted record. The gritty guitar fuzz and shrieking vocals that ran wild with DFA have been brought under control. That blistering energy now simmers under tight chorus hooks, driving rock rhythms and triumphant melodies. Grainger's vocals are also magnificently harnessed, ranging from the familiar wail to an intimate near-whisper. This is stadium rock with heart. It's also a superbly assembled album, with real emotional breaks and climaxes. Pay attention downloaders and MySpace dabblers: this is one you'll want to hear all the way through.

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