Elephant Shell
Tokyo Police Club · 2008
51 min · 18 tracks · post-punk
A vibrant fusion of post-punk energy and catchy melodies, layered with sharp lyrical observations and infectious rhythms.
Top tracks — play these first
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Centennial — Opening with a brisk tempo and punchy guitar riffs, this track sets an energetic tone for the album while showcasing the band's knack for concise songwriting.
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Your English Is Good — This track stands out with its playful exploration of language barriers and cultural nuances, featuring a catchy chorus that exemplifies the band's clever lyricism.
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Tessellate — With its intricate rhythms and engaging hooks, 'Tessellate' encapsulates the album's spirit, highlighting the band's ability to blend upbeat instrumentation with thoughtful lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases energetic songwriting with engaging rhythms but lacks strong cohesion across its length.
What we noticed
- The first five tracks maintain a brisk tempo with driving rhythms and layered guitar lines, creating an energetic opening.
- Several songs feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the dynamic interplay between band members.
- The album includes moments of quiet introspection, such as in 'Graves', which contrasts sharply with the surrounding upbeat tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- concise listening sessions
- steady, consistent pacing
- introspective background ambiance
- dynamic emotional shifts
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on April 22, 2008, 'Elephant Shell' marked Tokyo Police Club's sophomore album, following their debut 'A Lesson in Crime'. Positioned during a phase of burgeoning popularity, the band sought to refine their sound while maintaining the spirited essence that captured audiences in their initial offering.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Passion Pit· Vampire Weekend· The Wombats
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Centennial 1:53
- 2 In a Cave 2:49
- 3 Graves 2:35
- 4 Juno 2:14
- 5 Tessellate 2:39
- 6 Sixties Remake 2:05
- 7 The Harrowing Adventures Of… 2:50
- 8 Nursery, Academy 2:26
- 9 Your English Is Good 3:11
- 10 Listen to the Math 2:58
- 11 The Baskervilles 2:21
Disc 2
- 1 Centennial (Dntel remix) 4:38
- 2 Tessellate (Tom Campesinos! remix) 4:16
- 3 Nursery, Academy (Flowers Forever remix) 2:37
- 4 Listen to the Math (The Good Life remix) 3:17
- 5 Tessellate (Field Music remix) 3:29
- 6 Friends of P. 2:45
- 7 New New Song 2:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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