Are you the type of person who insists that the world would be a better place if everyone broke out into a choreographed musical once in a while? Krupke is your new favourite band. The Toronto band’s name is taken right out of West Side Story and their debut album, The Pony You Always Wanted Died Today, performs a musical for your ears from start to finish. Krupke fuses violin, piano, clarinet, drums, guitar and glockenspiel into an absurd adventure through intricate multi-part songs that put the whim in whimsical. Rhino, a track that captures the essence of the entire album, incorporates original clarinet and violin riffs, a delightful vocal duet and some weird French rambling. Just like the rest of the album, including the cover art, the components seem like they should contradict each other, but every obscure part complements the others. More bands should strive to be this weird.

Published in Volume 65, Number 9 of The Uniter (October 28, 2010)