Plants and Animals

This sophomore album from the Montreal-based rockers at first feels a lot like its predecessor, but in time grows into enormous proportions. The band (Warren Spicer, Nicolas Basque and Matthew Woodley) recorded the album between the Treatment Room in Montreal and Studio La Frette outside of Paris. The combination leaves the sound familiar and also different simultaneously. Their curiosity and discovery come alive as each song flows into the next; it feels like you could be in your parents' '70s-decorated basement or sitting on a hill in a park watching the sunset. The psychedelic guitars, warm harmonies and slow push of the drums join together to make this a more rock'n'roll effort than Parc Avenue. Even Colin Stetson, the horn player from Arcade Fire, lends his enthusiasm in a surprisingly rockin' solo on "American Idol." La La Land has genuine and daring moments, finding itself in a dreamlike balance.