On today's mix...
Islands - Arm's Way (2008)

If you remember Islands from the bouncy hooks of "Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby" and "Rough Gem", their newest offering will come as something of a surprise, albeit a welcome one. Instead of embracing the summery pop that infused much of their debut, Islands have instead delivered the menacing Arm's Way, a full-fledged epic rock album, right down to its delightfully over-the-top cover art. Lead singer/songwriter Nick Diamonds is smart enough never to fall into parody, however, and this is thankfully much more than a Yes tribute. Though the sound is decidedly different this time around--to the point where it's surprising that Diamonds chose to hold on to the Islands moniker at all--the experimental spirit of debut Return to Sea is much the same. Opener "The Arm" begins with a sinister riff backed by violins; however, he shuts off the theatrics for the song's hooky recurring bridge, delivering some delightful indie pop before diving back into the forceful refrain. "J'aime Vous Voir Quitter", meanwhile, begins with similar gusto--with Diamonds declaring that he's been "stabbed in the face"--before ultimately breaking down into a playful island dance-off. Of course, the album's best moment is one of its most concise, the lead single "Creeper", a paranoid thriller of a pop song whose intricate texture gets more satisfying with every listen. Nonetheless, it's album's many epics that make the album; and Arm's Way is an ambitious success throughout, an album that's complex but accessible, dark but delightful, theatrical but never cartoonish, and adventurously meandering but never shapeless. It's one of the year's most satisfying efforts--and a great running mix.

9/10