Concert Preview and Giveaway: Wolf Parade Bang Their Drum At La Zona Rosa

Wolf Parade w/ Wintersleep
Friday, July 25
La Zona Rosa (612 W. 4th Street)
$22, 9pm
[info] | [tickets]

For a time there, we weren't sure if this show would ever happen. Montreal's Wolf Parade took a lengthy break after touring for debut Apologies To The Queen Mary, which led frontmen Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner to pursue multiple side projects. The resulting success (on album and in person) of their time with Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake, and Handsome Furs caused some band discussion about whether to re-activate as Wolf Parade at all. Thankfully, Krug and Boeckner saw the benefit of continuing to work together, and the result was this summer's At Mount Zoomer, which is named after the band's recording space.

The dissonance between the two principal's writing styles are on blatant display on the new record - they Lennon and McCartney it the whole way by doing one Krug entry, then a Boeckner, then a Krug, until finally coming together for a co-write on the album's closing track "Kissing The Beehive." If the Krug is Lennon, Boeckner is Macca comparison is simplistic, it's also not unfair given the way the interplay seems to improve each writer.

Musically, pianos and keyboards continue to be a focal point in the music and rhythm, as songs like "Call It A Ritual" sound like Britt Daniel turned up at the sessions. "California Dreamer" even calls to mind some vintage Fleetwood Mac in places with the keyboard and bass-focused propulsion, if not with the surrounding cacophony. This is a hyper record, full of ambition and thought, that thankfully expands on the promise of the band's debut while using a moderately different sonic palate. In short, one listens and is impressed. Catching this batch of songs while they're still fresh to the group should make for a great Friday evening.

Opening Friday's show are Nova Scotia's Wintersleep, who we'll lazily but accurately describe as Interpol vocals meet Hold Steady bar band music with a splash of keyboards and dissonant guitar to keep you interested. This is a rare case where the opening act sounds more accessible than the headliner, so early arrivals should find the tunes catchy and pregame-friendly.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets to Wolf Parade's show at La Zona Rosa, fill in your details below.

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