2012.09.18 Japandroids - Celebration Rock

Color: White

Released: 2012, June 5 

Label: Polyvinyl

I guess sometimes you gotta be in the right mood. Right now, I’m not in the mood for this. Although, admittedly, I get in moods where I only want to hear certain things (*ahem* Juno … one of the greatest DeSoto Records bands… nay BANDS - period …ever). Anyway, I listened to this recently and wasn’t totally feeling it. Which is interesting, because hearing this record a few months ago is what made me revisit their last record. It’s good stuff to be sure… both of these records. I guess ultimately the point I am trying to make is that I find myself needing to be in a certain mood to really “get” this. And that’s okay. There are worse bands to be kinda “meh” about. I’m torn on the design. On the one hand it’s the same exact design of the last record save for maybe a different photo… but the type, the color palette, and the overall layout are the same. If you look again and think a bit deeper you can guess at the fact that the band are presenting a concept here. Admittedly the band’s sound is no-frills guitar and drums dirty, fun rock and roll. And that’s all they want you to take from it… so maybe they’re not trying to sell you anything other than that… They recorded some new rock songs and here they are… the band you last heard from… back for more. “Oh this record looks like our last one? Yup, then it must definitely be music from us. Japandroids. Dudes who don’t give a fuck and just wanna rock.” Technically, this one does include a gorgeous 12 x 12 booklet of a slew of black and white photos that tell a bit more of the story.