Parallels

They say, "don't quit your day job," but if Cameron Findlay had listened to those age-old words of wisdom he'd still be risking his life as the live drummer for Crystal Castles. Instead, Findlay opted to pursue his own band, Toronto, ON's Parallels, along with singer Holly Dodson and keyboardist Joey Kehoe. From the sounds of their debut LP, the gamble has paid off. Recorded by the members at Marigold Studios, Visionaries builds on the buzz they generated with 2008's Ultralight EP. Part of the allure with Parallels is in how much more in tune with yesterday's style of production they are than the simplification of today's technology. Going full analog, the trio give their pensive, disco-infused electro pop shades of authenticity. Had Giorgio Moroder evolved his Svengali-like role from Donna Summer to, say, Kylie Minogue, whose blissful voice Dodson closely resembles, a song like "City of Stars" would already be history. "Vienna," alternatively, gives you an idea of how the Knife's Deep Cuts might sound if its dark sense of humour was replaced by neon-lit romanticism. If you like Glass Candy, but could do without all of the posturing, Parallels should answer your prayers.