Review: The Panda Band – This Vital Chapter (or) pandas in the wilderness

The Panda Band
I’m writing this from the garage steps of my mother-in-law’s house in Central Pennsylvania and I’m desperately trying to make the most of this spotty unsecured wireless network that I am (gladly) able to (barely) connect to.

Anyhow, most people like pandas and think that they are cute little animals. That really isn’t relevant to this discussion except that I’m talking about a wonderfully awesome Perth, Australia group called The Panda Band whose new album This Vital Chapter is equally as wonderfully awesome. They manage to make a uniquely original brand of indie pop that smacks itself down somewhere between classic (but adventurous) psychedelic tendencies of Sgt. Peppers and an almost alt-country sound that reeks of an off-kilter doo-wop Modest Mouse or perhaps a jazzy big-band incarnation of The Flaming Lips. This Vital Chapter is a damn fine album of interestingly great Aussie indie pop.

MP3 | The Panda Band – Sleepy Little Deathtoll Town This Vital Chapter
MP3 | The Panda Band – A Call To Your Arms This Vital Chapter

2 Responses

  1. Matthew June 12, 2007 at 8:25 AM | | Reply

    Excellent – I’ve just gone straight out and bought this. You’re right about them being almost like a more gentle version of Modest Mouse too, although maybe that’s just the voice.

    It’s excellent, whatever it is!

  2.  Mich June 13, 2007 at 12:55 PM | | Reply

    woohoo! perth represent. :)

    thanks for all the great artiste recommendations/song choices!

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