Released 20 years ago
A Lesson in Crime
Tokyo Police Club · 2006
18 min · 8 tracks · post-punk
Energetic post-punk riffs meld with tight rhythms and clever lyrics, creating a vibrant sonic landscape that resonates with youthful exuberance.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cheer It On — Opening with an infectious drive, this track sets the tone for the EP with its upbeat tempo and catchy hooks, encapsulating youthful optimism.
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Citizens of Tomorrow — This song features sharp lyrical commentary on generational identity, blending playful melodies with a sense of urgency that captures the band's essence.
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Cut Cut Paste — With its rapid-fire delivery and inventive structure, this track showcases the band's knack for combining humor with social critique, making it a standout moment.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP showcases tight songwriting and energetic performances, making it a notable entry in the post-punk revival.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a punchy guitar riff that sets a brisk tempo, which is maintained through the majority of the EP.
- Each song features concise structures, typically around three minutes long, allowing for quick transitions between energetic tracks.
- The lyrics often employ clever wordplay and social commentary, enhancing the overall vibrancy of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- quick bursts of infectious energy
- ideal for upbeat group settings
- short tracks for instant gratification
- playful melodies that invite movement
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive experiences
- seek deep emotional introspection
Where this album fits
- Career context
- A Lesson in Crime is Tokyo Police Club's debut EP, released in 2006 when the band was just emerging from Ontario's music scene. Their sound quickly gained attention, leading to a significant uptick in their popularity and paving the way for future releases.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Passion Pit· Vampire Weekend· The Wombats
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Cheer It On 1:59
- 2 Nature of the Experiment 2:01
- 3 Citizens of Tomorrow 2:44
- 4 Shoulders & Arms 2:38
- 5 If It Works 2:04
- 6 Cut Cut Paste 1:43
- 7 Be Good 2:04
- 8 La Ferrassie 2:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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