#33 - Phil

Wolf Parade

Apologies to the Queen Mary

2005

During sophomore year of college, Steve and I were roommates in our little box of a dorm room. In many ways it was a wonderful experience, but I think I speak for both of us when I say we were thrilled when the year was over and we moved into our apartment with our OWN bedrooms:). One of my favorite memories, though, was being introduced by Steve to this brand new band from Montreal, Wolf Parade. I had heard him listening to “You Are a Runner and I am My Father’s Son,” the opening track to their debut album Apologies to the Queen Mary, and was immediately hooked to what I felt was a very original and expressive sound.

What particularly grabs me about Wolf Parade is the way their songs move. They are incredibly keen at knowing just how to build their instrumentation with their singers’ vocals to make the emotion and the power of their lyrics come alive fully. “Grounds for Divorce” is a standout in that it’s one of the album’s most upbeat songs, yet it describes the annoying arguments that take place at the end of a relationship quite effectively: “You said you hate the sound of the buses on the ground / You said you hate the way they scrape their brakes all over town / Said, ‘Pretend it’s whales keeping their voices down’ / Such were the grounds for divorce I know.” These “up-beat serious subjects” are a common theme for Wolf Parade, but they never sound artificial or misaligned. I believe the reason for this is due to the passion of their singers’ voices; they allow themselves to completely let go of their reservations and – like their songs’ arrangements – just go with whatever feels right. -P.W.

This album really took the indie scene by storm. Wolf Parade was the perfect marriage of Modest Mouse and The Arcade Fire and this album was released at just the right time in music history to capture the ears of everyone listening at the time. Spencer Krug’s wavering voice is so appealing, but I think he hasn’t been able to maintain this quality in his vocals over time because of the ridiculous number of other side projects he has (Swan Lake, Handsome Furs, Sunset Rubdown, etc.). There is not a single bad song on this album with highlights like “Modern World,” “Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts,” and “It’s a Curse.” - Ryan

This is a record that is quintessentially collegiate for me. Phil and I would regularly listen to this one together as it was a safe choice we could both enjoy in our small-quartered dorm room. Excellent songwriting and a penchant for subtly stealing from Modest Mouse (even going as far as to have Isaac Brock produce this record) helped catapult this band to fame. I'll always love this record if for nothing else, at least "Modern World" and "I'll Believe in Anything", two anthemic examples of what the indie rock world was precisely loving in 2005. A record of its time. - Steve