Tokyo Police Club

2008 was an exceptional year for Canada's under-25 indie rock set, as albums by Born Ruffians, Spiral Beach and Tokyo Police Club garnered positive reviews and adoration from listeners. Champ, the second LP from Tokyo Police Club, sees the Newmarket, ON quartet striving to restore the grandeur and urgency of Elephant Shell. Album opener "Favourite Food" sets the mood, with vocalist/bassist David Monks delivering a gaunt eulogy while, as anticipated, Graham Wright's keyboard finds its unique voice. Songs like "Breakneck Speed," "Boots of Danger (Wait Up)" and "Big Difference" curtly demonstrate just why the band connected with listeners so effectively: affecting vocals, angular but angelic rhythms and hang-on-every-word verses. But upon closer inspection, Champ finds Tokyo Police Club gripping the wheel much too tightly, crafting an LP that feels more like a second-rate continuation of Elephant Shell ― no new thoughts, just new songs.