Maps of Norway: Sister Stations

I have never studied Norweigan maps, but when you listen to this record you don’t have to. Maps of Norway are not relying too much on a retro-electro feeling, however you get the impression that a group like Duran Duran isn’t too far away from their mindset on the dance pop of “Traffic”, which is similar in tone to Canadian outfit Controller.Controller. Singer Rebecca Leigh also brings to mind Karen O. on this ditty, as well as during the ragged, edgier “Manners” that relies very little on the guitar to drive the groove home. Another gem is the lean and mean, hi-hat-heavy rocker “Victory Lane”, which is a great Yeah Yeah Yeahs-like tune, as Leigh is in overdrive. Generally, the songs are delivered very well vocally and musically, particularly the pleasing, downbeat “Matches” that builds slowly but never bursts out of its shell. A couple of standouts are “Cellophane”, a track that sounds like an updated classic Blondie single, and the ensuing high octane rush of “Glass”. But even these pale compare to the intensity and passion the band oozes during the stellar “North South” and the remarkably well-crafted “Holland Tunnel”.