Hot Panda - Volcano... Bloody Volcano (Mint Records) It's hard to compare a band to anyone else when their sound is, in fact, extremely unique to themselves. Hot Panda are one of those bands - raw, jagged and melodic, there are hints of Talking Heads here and Islands there, maybe a dash of Of Montreal in between, but ultimately, Hot Panda are distinct in their lack of ordinariness. Hailing from the magical, promised land of reliably excellent new music, the Canadian quartet have been together for three years and have finally delivered a debut album that showcases their wonderfully peculiar sound. Full of collaborative, shouty vocals and disorderly, raucous guitar bashing, 'Volcano... Bloody Volcano' is made soft (but only by a touch) by additions from accordions and twee, oft-times dance-worthy glam-pop keyboard melodies. Opener 'Cold Hands/Chapped Lips' lifts the album up to a brilliant, catchy start, while 'Chinatown Bun', near to the record's end, is a slightly more contemplative track that offers an uneven platform for frontman Chris Connelly's jarring, intriguing vocal style. 'Volcano... Bloody Volcano' won't be to everyone's taste, but for those who can listen to an Architecture In Helsinki album all the way through without wincing once, or perhaps just like a bit more innovation in their indie, it's sure to be welcomed with open arms and dancing, stamping feet. www.mintrecs.com TW Review originally published by CMU Music Network www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk Next