We Were Promised Jetpacks

Jason Heller March 4, 2010 4:00AM

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Part of the Scottish cabal (including the Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit) that threatens to turn indie rock into a weepy wasteland of butt-hurt crybabies — yes, one of their signature songs is called "Quiet Little Voices" — We Were Promised Jetpacks should, by all rights, totally suck. The fact that the band doesn't suck is testament to the messy, sinewy songcraft crammed into its 2009 debut, These Four Walls. Amid the whiny harmonies and remedial guitar-playing, the act displays a knack — perhaps even a desperate impulse — for raggedy post-punk and winsome melodies that feel somehow euphorically depressing. Call it catharsis. The band's new EP, The Last Place You'll Look, promises to be just as stunning; it's available only on the band's current U.S. tour, so if you needed another reason to attend this show, there you go.

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Jason Heller

Contact: Jason Heller

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