Wolves on Parade

Bostonist had heard the hype—and the debut LP from Montreal’s Wolf Parade—prior to picking up tickets in time for last Thursday’s show at TT the Bear’s Place in Central Square. One of the latest in a series of bands gaining widespread popularity to pass through Boston/Cambridge in the last year, Wolf Parade is touring on the release of their first full-length, Apologies to the Queen Mary on SubPop. Drawing constant, but due comparisons to The Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse (having toured with both, and getting production help from Isaac Brock of the latter) the album is doused with flammable hit-potential. Bostonist is always interested in a visual performance to ignite the blaze of long-term interest in a newly-discovered band.

An intimate venue is an ideal setting to solidify one’s opinion of a fresh act. TT’s, with its limited space, consistently offers this atmosphere to bands on the brink of success and the kids who come to see them perched there. Apologies’ strengths—a disjointed, guttural approach to delivering some of the most attractive melodies on recent record—were heightened in Wolf Parade’s live show. The sound is one of potential catastrophe, but ultimate melody. Their live success resulted from pushing each aspect to its respective extreme. The drums and guitars pound away feverishly, with one instrument goading the other to keep it all together. Vocals from keyboardist Spencer Krug and guitarist Dan Boeckner remind the audience that they can sing along to this madness.

At TT’s, the clutter seemed more immediate, and the beautiful end product of each song provided that much more of an emotional release. On this night, evident damage to Boeckner’s voice from touring (and the drinks and smokes throughout) was completely compensated by a physical performance that exchanged energy equally with the sweaty, sold-out crowd. His beautifully-rock hyperactivity and the driving ferociousness from WP’s Arlen Thompson, Hadji Bakara, and (recent addition)Dante DeCaro created a force that pulsated in the room, perfectly seen in the restless rattle of Boeckner’s vocal mic stand at the front of the stage. While Boeckner’s hoarse bark bounced between the audience, Krug’s teetering wail filled the air above.

“Shine a Light,” WP’s thumping college radio hit, elicited the expected response and sing-along, as did nearly every Apologies song for the well-prepared crowd. The highlight of the night, though, was “I’ll Believe in Anything,” a Spencer Krug caterwauling vocal plea that has since assumed the top spot on Bostonist’s current playlist. The song is a perfect example of the band triumphing over their own noise and giving off a warmth that is sure to spread like wildfire. At Boeckner’s offering, one fan assumed backing vocals on the chorus, arm up-raised, and the musical energy propagated by Wolf Parade reached its peak. This Band’s On Fire.

Contributed by Michael Walker