Ok so right off the bat, I am not one of the multitudes who, after Wolf Parade released their debut album 'Apologies to The Queen Mary' were all up on the nuts of these fine young men from Montreal. Although I did find it interesting that a dude from the dance punk dudes Hot Hot Heat, peaced out his former bandmates to join Wolf Parade. Seemed more credible probably. Plus dance punk man, dance punk. Anyway back to Wolf Parade. I was mildly interested in a few of their songs off their debut release. But overall I was not losing my mind over it. There were still plenty of bands screaming about their feelings. I was busy ok?

      So a few months ago while browsing some internet person's files on Soulseek, I came across In Session @ CBC Studios. I was interested to hear live versions of the song I liked the most off 'Apologies. .  .' so I downloaded 'You Are a Runner'. I may not be officially  sold on Wolf Parade, but holy shit this song is GREAT. And thus it becomes the first, This SONG!
     
      The thing I like most, and dislike most about Wolf Parade is Sebastian's (as far as I know the lead singer, in any case the singer of this song) voice. Over the course of an entire album it can become grating and obnoxious, and to be honest as someone with a grating and obnoxious voice I may be more sensitive to this than most, but live, with the restraints of the studio recording thrown off it is shambalic and wreckless and wonderful. When he hits the final verse and half groans half screams 'with a stolen voice/ and you a runner' it is barely under control and adds a sense of immediacy to the song that wasn't REALLY there before.

      The rhythm section aka the part of the band that made me enjoy this song from the get go is solid as HELL here. The drum beat isn't overly complex but it is great, if I danced I would dance to this. instead I just nod my head to the beat and curse the god that saw fit to stuff soul much soul in a body not capable of ever expelling it in a meaningful way.

      The song doesn't make me a huge Wolf Parade fan, but it does make the entire 3:13 I am listening to it a darn good time. It appears it is early in the running for my coveted SUMMER JAM 08: Black and Back. All I know is with pop songs making me feel this wild and free, it is going to be one HELL of a summer.

   
Next up: either another one of these or a bit on band trips, flop sweat and fuckin' tallica bro