On their debut, the Lesson In Crime EP, Canadian young'ns Tokyo Police Club proved their knack for quick and crowded numbers, punchy like a spiked drink or an adrenaline shot, with a biting wit. "Box" finds Police Club bassist and vocalist Dave Monks at the top of his game, slighting himself for dubious means and hissing sprays of venom, interestingly enough all pointed directly in the mirror.

Over rattling high-hats the track's tension boils between rapid distorted rhythms and a bright lead while Monks is brimming with self-hate. "I'm a fake who sticks to his guns," he admits, "…but it comes easy for a scumbag like me." And like his gnawing conscience, buried back-ups shouts from the distance, warning that when a box is wet, it bottoms out. But that won't stop Monks, who confesses that he's far more interested in getting down than hearing that his baby might feel down. Still, though the devil on his one shoulder might be dominating the angel on the other, it makes for a rousing two-and-a-half minutes -- a taste of the ferociousness that the Club have to offer as their much anticipated debut full-length on the Saddle Creek label approaches. Meanwhile, the Smith EP will be available Nov. 6 via the Paper Bag label. 

Now Hear This:
Tokyo Police Club - "Box"

On the Web:
Tokyo Police Club at MySpace
tokyopoliceclub.com

Talk: Are the contents of Tokyo Police Club's 'box' a blast or a bust?

More on Tokyo Police Club:
Backstage at Lollapalooza 2007