Action Action

“An Army of Shapes Between Wars” (Victory)

Compare to: The Music

REVIEW: 3.5/ 5

In short: Action Action takes what was good about its luke-warm first album and makes it better. Much better.

Mainstream music has once again embraced the synthesizer as a staple in modern rock. New wave bands like The Killers and The Bravery have made popular the reinstatement of 80s sounds and proved that trends really do repeat themselves.

Action Action’s debut album, “Don’t Cut Your Fabric to This Year’s Fashion,” was about as bland as a bread sandwich. Although a few songs were novel, the overall presentation was as dull as a razor that has cut too many beards.

Ridiculous analogies aside, the band has struck a good chord with its second effort. With “An Army of Shapes Between Wars,” it has developed its own sound and proved that it can produce a solid record.

Although not amazing, the album will likely be eaten up by fans of new wave music. Washy synths, robo-esque sound effects and nasal-but-fitting vocals penetrate every track on the album. With a pleasing overall ambiance, the disc starts out spacey with “Smoke And Mirrors” and builds in intensity, swelling and subsiding in a seamless flow.

Standout tracks include “A Tornado; An Owl,” a pop ballad with ’80s drum fills and a chanting, sing-along chorus, and “What Temperature Does Air Freeze At?,” a track so melancholy it should be the soundtrack to an art film.

Overall, Action Action deserves a pat for a valiant effort. This disc could easily compete with the likes of The Killers, but its popularity remains to be seen.