Constantines - Tournament Of Hearts

Damn straight.

fucking excellent review. these guys reaffirm my faith in everything.

I've been wondering when you were going to get around to this, Ian. I couldn't agree more with what you've said, though. In my not entirely humble opinion, the Cons are the best band in Canada at the moment, and this record does nothing to tarnish that claim, if not add to it. Right alongside the Wolf Parade record for album of the year, I'd say.

The more I listen to this album, the more impressed I become with the growth of the band, especially the vocals -- Webb's really expanded his range, both musical ("Love In Fear" and the opening of "Good Nurse" in particular) and emotional (perfectly restrained on "Hotline Operator", surprisingly tender on "You Are A Conductor", generally excellent on "Soon Enough"), which makes this their least monochromatic and most listenable effort by far (if not quite their best). Even Lambke's breaking away from that whole "unhinged shouting over stomping hardcore" thing, and although "Windy Road" is still a bit rubbish, "Thieves" more than makes up for it.