Critiques CD: Wolf Parade | Expo 86

Their third full-length since the ground shaking 2005 debut, Apologies to the Queen Mary, Expo 86 strays far from the local darlings’ nearly indifferent second album, At Mount Zoomer, and brings their live show to the studio. Minus one member (keyboardist Hadji Bakara left to go pursue his studies), Wolf Parade recorded live in studio this time around with minimal overdubs, which spawned an album that is as rock as WP gets. Brimming with their trademarked intermittent guitars, savvy synth riffs, as well as shared vocals between keyboardist Spencer Krug and guitarist Dan Boeckner, Expo 86 not only meets all expectations but deftly blows them away.