Random Spirit Lover * by Sunset Rubdown

While initially a side project to Spencer Krug's primary band, Wolf Parade, this Montreal quartet over the course of a few albums has grown formidable in its own right. RANDOM SPIRIT LOVER--the band's Jagjaguwar debut--toys with similar sonic territory as previous efforts with plucky baroque touches intermingling with the rock instrumentation, but a newfound group energy has overtaken the outfit, and the results are thrilling. At times sounding like Arcade Fire with even more of a Bowie fixation, RANDOM SPIRIT LOVER captures the excitement of a band finding the thrumming rock core in a hummable tune and a harpsichord, much like the Arcade Fire's FUNERAL did with a string section. Minimize