Suuns: Zeroes QC

Label: Secretly Canadian

These Suuns shine brightly but darkly. This Montreal quartet does that thing where they kinda sound like a different band on each track -- but, a different GOOD band. There is a signature sound on Zeroes QC ("QC" being the postal code for Quebec, among other things): a slow, heavy, deliberate bass vibration that rumbles through many of the songs, such as the opening "Armed for Peace" (which evokes Yeah Yeah Yeahs if they were only gritty and not glammy). It's also present in the following "Gaze," which could stand toe-to-toe with any big rock production from the early '90s. But then, how to explain the heaving Motorik groove of "Arena," which evolves into something bordering on jubilant, or the menacing techno-crawl of "Pie IX"? And that's just the four tracks that start the album! Left to come are explosive punk-funk, more groovy darkness (especially on the rhythmic, trancey "Sweet Nothing") and droning psych-blues. Most unexpectedly cool debut in a good long while! (James)