After a four year hiatus, Tokyo Police Club is back with Forcefield. The Newmarket quartet has veered from indie-rock-with-some-punk to… pop. Tunes sound over-polished, like good choices for the soundtracks to this summer’s teen rom-coms. Opener “Argentina (Parts I, II, III)” is eight minutes long, double the length of each of its companions. It’s a good start, and the album’s strongest offer. Forcefield was produced with Top 40 radio play in mind, particularly “Hot Tonight”—picture suburban teens in skinny jeans, primping for a night out. Forcefield’s appeal will likely expire sooner than said jean style, and won’t be in rotation for long.
[rating:3]
-Nancy Saunders