Expo 86

With their third album, Montreal’s Wolf Parade really expand their sound to create deeper atmospheres where the keyboards take on a dark passion and the reverb adds a cavernous growl to tunes that desire great mystery. “Palm Road” is the sound of a cement mixer jamming up its gears, while “What Did My Lover Say (It Always Had To Go This Way)” turns up the keyboards on David Bowie’s ‘80s period. “Little Golden Age” turns in a perfectly alienated new-wave groove. “In the Direction of the Moon” takes synths into the anthemic territory once occupied by the Waterboys. “Ghost Pressure” twists to a sweeter light. “Pobody’s Nerfect” uses isolating textures to create greater distress. “Two Men In New Tuxedos” loosens up an early Talking Heads rhythm. “Oh You, Old Thing” could be another shout-out to David Bowie. What holds everything together is the brilliantly cohesive playing and the songs that are as catchy as new wave will allow.