If we take a look at the history of music, we can chronologically determine how the geographical focus of pop-rock industry was shifting. In the 50s, it was United States, lead by Leiber and Stoller as the main songwriters for Elvis Presley. Then there was Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra, etc. In the 60s, everything was still in the hands of Americans (Orbison, Dylan). After the 60s came the British invasion lead by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Kinks which moved the center of pop-rock music to the Island where it stayed until the end of the 70s.
The music will remain in the UK during the 70s, due to glam rock icons David Bowie and T.Rex, although the other side of The Atlantic ocean had their strong representative in New York Dolls. But New York Dolls were also "contaminated" by britization of glam rock. Everything that comes afterwards is too complicated for reading, so I will just generally mention key milestones of transition between UK and United States. In the beginning of the 80s, Great Britain is ruling with Soft Cells, The Smiths, New Order, Pet Shop Boys and Stone Roses all the way to the 90s when Guns 'n' Roses and Nirvana built the throne in the United States.
Today, another force is relevant. With Arcade Fire, the perception started moving towards Canada. We can easily say that Canada is today's biggest exporter of modern rock music with the likes of The Rural Alberta Advantage, Arcade Fire, Put The Riffle Down and my favorite - Tokyo Police Club, especially due to their iconic album Champ.
Tokyo Police Club released their debut EP A Lesson in Crime eleven years ago that contained semi-hit single Nature of the Experiment. Alongside Suede's The Drowners, I consider this the best EP since the 2000. The second EP Smith came a year later, and only proved perseverance of good work. And then, in 2008, their full length debut Elephant Shell was finally out and spawned their first true hit Your English Is Good.
Champ, the album we are remembering in this week's ThrowbackThursday, came out in 2010, and it was insanely catchy material. Sophisticated use of fused synths and distorted guitars was brought to the perfection in a singable harmony no one could resist. All of this is backed up by the first three songs that also served as singles. Breakneck Speed was a good choice for the first single, as it was a spot on representative of what the album had to offer. The second single Wait Up was swung by dance rhythm and harmonious back vocals, probably the most hit-worthy song on the record. My personal favorite Bambi was never released as a single. It was characterized by the best lyrics on the album:
I wanna tell you that's a very good reasonWhy I came home wasted in the middle of the night
Exhibitionist instrumental and rhythm that shows how drum-machine should be used made this song an absolute standout. The rest of the album was consistent in quality. I would also mention easy Gone, and Big Difference with a brutal chorus:
And that's why I can't send you Christmas cardsThat's why I have to keep you in the dark
I can only conclude that Tokyo Police Club had the opportunity to become Canada's best product. Unfortunately, they did not use it considering the albums that followed Champ.
