On
Shaky Dream, the second full-length from Canadian indie rockers
Dinosaur Bones, the band returns with an album of
Strokes-esque rock infused with a looser, flowing feeling that helps to give the album a sense of understated cool. There's an interesting interplay at work between the metronomic rhythm work of drummer Lucas Fredette and bassist Branko Scekic and the more atmospheric guitars and keyboards laid down by the rest of the band. This allows
Dinosaur Bones' sound to have an exploratory element without ever spinning off into directionless noodling, letting them stay in full control while still keeping songs like "Spins in Circles" and "Career Criminal" on the rails, so to speak. By maintaining forward momentum while having so much going on in every song, the band makes
Shaky Dream an album that provides plenty of depth without sacrificing accessibility, striking a fine balance between catchy melodies and murky atmospherics. While fans of
Dinosaur Bones will find this album an easy one to fall in love with, its effortless cool makes
Shaky Dream a great jumping-in point for the band, offering a more refined and laid-back take on the sound they debuted on
My Divider, as the Toronto quintet continues to evolve and expand the possibilities of motoric post-
Strokes/
Velvet Underground worship with each album. ~ Gregory Heaney