G' day mate!

[With edited sound links]

Architecture in Helsinki- one of the best things to come out of Australia since Naomi Watts, Mambo, and kangaroos (ok, maybe koalas too). An 8-member band based out of Melbourne, these guys are part Polyphonic Spree, part Arcade Fire, plus '80s electronic pop meets Of Montreal- kitchen-sink pop, if you will. And that's the best thing about them- you can't pigeon-hole them. They don't have a sound. With eight people armed with a huge variety of instruments (I think they might be a sitar thrown in somewhere) and all contributing their vocals in one way or another, each track in the album is a surprise- from random off-key yelling to military chants to balladic crooning (sometimes all in one track- see In Case We Die, Parts 1-4). And the best thing is, it all works brilliantly! AIH is rambunctious, delirious and frenetic, as if someone (or all of them) have had one too many triple expressos.

Check out in particular Wishbone, Maybe You Can Owe Me and The Cemetary. Like Alice, you'll find yourself falling down into Wonderland where strange colors (yes, you will hear colors), sounds and sights thrash and swirl into psychedelic euphoria.

Do The Whirlwind
She said you'd given up,
Your folks told me you should be left alone,
On a mountain top knocking the aeroplanes down with stones.

Do the whirlwind and carry the hope that stings all night long,
Don't abandom him 'cause he quivers when he hears your song,
Believe me, it's safe to see.

At least be confused about right and wrong,
Plan to settle down,
Over the moon under the sun.

Do the whirlwind and shotgun the seat that beats
Hanging on to the one you love
To keep keepin', sleepin', dreamin' on.

Folks given up under the quivers and lines,
You do the whirlwind,
Don't abandon,
Get a handle of yourself, son.