Wolf Parade's third album takes the drumbeats and guitar riffs from their previous records and boosts it up a notch (or two), delivering fast-paced flavor that is bound to keep your head nodding for the duration. While tricky guitar work may set this album apart from past work, the in-your-face attitude is, fortunately, still intact.

While "Cloud Shadow on the Mountain" and "Palm Road" rely on strong drumming, "Ghost Pressure" and "In the Direction of the Moon" show us that the funky and catchy synthesizer undertones of Wolf Parade's music are not lost.

The caliber of Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug's vocals match that of the guitar and keyboard work that give the album its updated punkish, yet sophisticated psychedelic sound. The range of vocals is to be noted as well; from the beginning of "Cloud Shadow on the Mountain" to the high notes moaned toward the end of "Cave-O-Sapien," we see a dedication to exploring the use of vocals beyond their traditional place in a Wolf Parade song, where they tend to compete against hectic guitar performances.

The ability of the band to intermix sound manipulation and synthesizers with upbeat guitar and keyboard talent throughout Expo 86 speaks to the commitment of the group to push its musical boundaries without losing its quirky personality. It is safe to say that each song begins and ends strongly - but that's not to say what exists in between is any less exciting. The results are no surprise for this rising Canadian band that is bound to gain a larger fan base in the States and beyond. (Sup Pop)

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