A while ago, this Calgary-based band decided that being broody wasn’t for them. So, they shrugged off their dark skins and walked out into the sunlight again. Thank goodness they did. The Fast Romantics definitely have it when it comes to up-beat, indie pop-rock.

Matthew Angus, the lead vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist, uses trembling and theatrical vocals to match the fervent accompaniment of equally-talented band members Matthew Kliewer on guitar, Jeffrey Lewis on bass, and Alan Reain on drums. They’ve also managed to sneak in a few less-conventional instruments like the trumpet, banjo, and trombone. It’s already clear that this quartet has the potential to match forces with fellow Canadian bands like The Stills, Hot Hot Heat, and Sloan.

Their self-titled record showcases a really nice layering of sounds. Launching straight into the high-energy, vaudeville-esque style in “Spooning the Gorilla,” the band sets the tone for the rest of the album: complex, creative, and a lot of fun. The all-together-now choruses, old-school guitar riffs, bouncy keyboards, and a assorted of underlying genres (varied forms of pop, electronica, and a bit of bluegrass) makes these tracks a real treat for the ears.

There are remnants of their old, darker influences in the songs “Casablanca” and “Modern Eyes” which contrast nicely with the rest of the tracks, giving things a well-rounded feel. It’s nice to hear Angus nurturing a variety of vocal styles. Much like how the album begins, they make sure to also end it with a bang. The explosive track “Mr. Magoo” plays like a New Orleans jazz band enlivening a rowdy crowd in a steamy, smoky nightclub.

The Fast Romantics are well on their way, having already caught the attention of Spin’s Free the Noise contest (where they were one of the three finalists) and have already played alongside big names (Stone Temple Pilots, The Flaming Lips, The Fratellis). If this album is a taste of this band’s burgeoning ability, it will be only onward and upward from here for The Fast Romantics.

Track Listing:

1. Spooning the Gorilla
2. Sleepy Jean
3. Moneymouth
4. How Do You?
5. The Soup Song
6. Casablanca
7. Hallways
8. Stop Me
9. Modern Eyes
10. Gravity Pope
11. Mr. Magoo