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Wolf Colonel

Vikings of Mint

(K Records)

Wolf Colonel, whose indie rock tunes are as blurry as their debut album's cover, is a prime example of everything that can go right with a talented, emerging indie pop rock band.

Hailing from Portland, Ore., an epicenter of modern American rock, Wolf Colonel's debut album, Vikings of Mint, captures the essence of an indie rock outfit - unrestricted by the codes of conformity on major labels.

Spanning 15 songs in just more than 28 minutes, Wolf Colonel frontman Jason Anderson spews his heart out about anything and everything from kung-fu robots sparring in dojos ("These Aquatic Droids") to dealing with feelings of extreme guilt ("Agave's Lament") to something about bears, clams and snakes ("The Clam, The Owl"), to returning to a loved one ("Know What the Story Is.")

Most of the album's songs capture pure indie pop bliss, combining coded lyrics, brash vocals, melodious harmonies, aggressive, distorted guitars and thundering drumming, all packaged into abrupt-but-catchy ditties.

One main factor in Vikings of Mint's success is the quality of the production - something far too many indie albums lack - a result of various economic reasons and a love for low-fi recording, something Wolf Colonel rises above.