Part II: The New December

Fol Chen is not just another electro-pop band, nor another electro-pop-cum-noise band. They are an electro-art-pop-noise-lite-whateverhaveyou band with a concept. In a continuation from last year’s debut, Part 1: John Shade, Your Fortune’s Made, their tale of an ongoing battle with Vladimir Nabokov creation John Shade and a language-eating virus, and the subsequent apocalypse, continues to unfold. Not much progression should be expected from such a blatant continuation as Part II: The New December, but in the short time that has passed, Fol Chen’s blips have become blippier, their pop moments have grown poppier, and their clashes with noise have gotten noisier. Although the concept is valiantly overblown, the journey it takes a listener on is mostly enjoyable.

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For avant-popsters Fol Chen, there's some truth in the old adage about the company you keep. The masked, anonymous California six-piece recently spent some time on the road supporting Liars, even going so far as to help fortify that outfit during their manic set. And any crew that has the freak-out chops to roll with those dudes must have some bizarro tricks of their own. But even if Fol Chen subscribe to a quirkier, more restrained brand of weird than their collaborative pals, it's this kindred aesthetic that helps them stand out and occasionally impress, as a good portion of their sophomore effort Part II: The New December is able to do with a series of rhythmically obtuse tracks that uncover patches of contorted funk and whimsical pop.

Full Review | More Reviews from Publication | Top Rated of 2010