Volcano Kings - "11 Ways to Avoid Death in Trash Can City" (2012)

Picture yourself as a character in a grainy, black and white '50s crime thriller. Are you the private eye? The seductive woman who is mysteriously intertwined in the proceedings? The befuddled chief of police reaching for straws? The innocent man wrongly accused? Or the true perpetrator?

The Volcano Kings create music from the darkest, smokiest secret room behind the cigar lounge where only the richest, most powerful members of society are welcome. Organ, piano, twangy guitar, bass, and inventive percussion scream, weave, and bounce their way through bombastically catchy songs, with sparse vocals and samples sprinkled throughout. There aren't huge variations in feel or style throughout this album, but the album manages to remain fascinating through catchy melodies, interesting timbres, and good songwriting.

This album rules. Go forth and listen.

Volcano Kings - "11 Ways to Avoid Death in Trash Can City"