It's easy to call Islands an indie-rock act. The tougher part is describing what the Montreal band actually sounds like, as the group makes room for everything from orchestral glam to loosely Caribbean, Asian and African influences. Against all odds, Islands make it work, too, with the all-in approach tempered by massive hooks and melodies. There's not a lot of stillness in songs such as "The Arm" or "J'aime Vous Voire Quitter," and when there is a lull it's usually a setup for another outburst. "Kids Don't Know Shit" begins as gently as a Caetano Veloso ballad before turning up the volume and tempo, while "Life in Jail" makes it two-thirds of the way through as a mellow ditty before briefly mimicking Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life" and concluding with a barrage of 1960s-style "ba-ba-bas." Magical, yes. Mysterious, audacious, ambitious and strange, too. But silly? Not at all. It takes complete seriousness to stretch albums like this out over an hour without tripping yourself up. And when it's all over, love it or hate it, a part of you might even feel like applauding.

-- Joshua Klein