speed of dark

It feels like we are waiting forever for the follow-up to Wolf Parade's brilliant 2005 CD, Apologies To the Queen Mary. Keyboardist Spencer Krug seems to be everywhere except with his band mates getting that new album finished. I've never seen anyone with so many side projects: Swan Lake, Sunset Rubdown, and Frog Eyes. Did I miss any?

Although Indie Mom is a fan of Sunset Rubdown, I haven't found the appeal. We saw Frog Eyes open for Wolf Parade last year, and while I don't like to give negative reviews...frankly, I could hardly wait until the set was over. It's just that I don't think screaming a torrent of words into a microphone is singing. Even Spencer Krug can't make a silk purse out of that sow's ear, in my opinion.

Maybe that inspired Wolf Parade's other vocalist and songwriter Dan Boeckner to start his own side project with fiancee Alexei Perry last winter. Their group, the Handsome Furs, has a much more appealing sound for me than Krug's other projects because it's very Wolf-ish, mostly because of Boeckner's ragged vocals and the echo-room effect in the guitars and percussion. It has melody. It has depth and heart.

Handsome Furs: What We Had from Plague Park, release date May 22, 2007

Handsome Furs' myspace
Order Plague Park from Subpop Records.

I don't have much information about this Wolf Parade song. Indie Mom says it is an old song that has never been released on an album. Krug's whirlpool keyboards and Boeckner's barked vocals have helped me hang on while I wait for the new stuff. Wolf Parade is definitely their best side project.

Wolf Parade: Secret Knives

Hurry over to You Ain't No Picasso for some new Sunset Rubdown and some brand-new, juicy, live Wolf Parade songs.

Wolf Parade's myspace


We saw Blonde Redhead last night at a sold-out show. I'll have a review and pictures and stuff soon.