On Lisbon, The Walkmen's 2010 magnum opus, Hamilton Leithauser isn't searing with anger as he was on their earlier albums. Usually losing this edge spells doom for bands that thrived on it, but The Walkmen came out on the other side better than ever, first with 2008's You & Me, and then two years later with this album, which is even better, without hitting turning into dad-rock a la 2012's Heaven.
Lisbon manages to be mature yet fresh. Leithauser's voice remains their calling card, but the band's music is tighter than ever--just check the incredible second track, "Angela Surf City;" the guitars jingle and jangle through its intro before a punishing drumbeat kicks in, propelling the song to a new level. Frantic drums, clean guitars and strong lyrics are the foundation of Lisbon, which is a stunning achievement the band, impressive as their catalog is, has not topped.
Grade: A-
"Angela Surf City"
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