Parquet Courts – Wide Awake!

At a time where many regularly wish to declare the guitar-led indie-rock album dead, Parquet Courts have continued to knock that silly claim on the head repeatedly. Three incredible "proper" records under their belt and a handful of off-shoot releases, it seems kind of amazing that the songwriting team of Andrew Savage and Austin Brown (backed by Andrew's brother Max on drums and Sean Yeaton on bass) have been able to not only consistently produce some of the finest indie-rock of the decade, but keep topping themselves with every release.

Almost to show the supreme confidence in their abilities, Wide Awake! (officially the band's fifth full-length) has an unlikely partnership in the shape of Danger Mouse – yes, that one – producing. For the most part, such as on lead single Almost Had to Start a Fight/In and Out of Patience, one can't really tell the difference that real name Brian Burton makes on this record. But then there is the other single and title track, or the angsty Violence or the dub-influenced Back to Earth where DM makes his presence felt, and luckily it's a rewarding cooperative experience.

In its 13 tracks and just shy of 40 minutes, Wide Awake! shows perhaps the band's broadest emotional range to date with a healthy dollop of anger on display (see Violence or Before the Water Gets Too High). There is rather a lot to be angry about right now, but Parquet Courts remind us to, at least, dance and have a good time, despite the impending apocalypse.

Listen to: Almost Had to Start a Fight/In and Out of Patience, Freebird II, Wide Awake