Boo Hoo

Best known outside their hometown of Montreal for contributing a tune to a Mega Bloks ad (the poor man's Lego), Boo Hoo play a brand of rock that mixes the lackadaisical '90s indie rock of bands like Modest Mouse and Built to Spill with the spastic energy of heavier groups like McLusky. On their second disc the trio continue to explore rhythm with sonic flourishes thanks to a crack drummer and two revolving bassist/guitarists locked in a constant duel for band-sound supremacy. While this tension is at the heart of Don't Die the band are unable to take what's certainly the key to their live show and reproduce it on record. Only opener "The Future" and slow burner "Borderline Epic" will stick with you after the record's finished.