The best album of 2008.

Simply amazing! It's energetic and catchy as hell. A definite pleasure to listen to.

A fun and catchy album that's exploding with tons and tons of energy.

It seems to be a pattern this year. An artist or group that has released a well-received, critically acclaimed debut album or EP puts out an excellent sophomore set and it gets mediocre to downright negative reviews. It was true for Cadence Weapon earlier in the year and now it has happened to Jamie Lidell and Tokyo Police Club in the same week. I don't know if the critics are just going into these albums assuming they will suffer the sophomore slump syndrome, but I assure you, they are wrong. If you compare these albums to the previous output, then yes, you might be disappointed. But, if you take them at face value, they are great listens. This album is just as good as the Vampire Weekend debut that has been fellated since its release a few months back.… Expand

Stunning album, it's catchy without getting repetetive, it's summery without being too poppy, it's indie without being generic, it's one of the most fresh and original records I've heard in years.

A decent enough full length, but certainly not a 10 or a 9. The records got some rockers with their trademark jangle-and-clap jubellance, but all told it lags in places, and it's songwriting sounds a little too much like Death Cab for Cutie in other places. If you're looking for a 10 in the Tokyo Police Club catalog, pick up A Lesson in Crime.

This is one of the best records of the year.

I reviewed this album for my school paper. I've listened to it countless times already, but it still grows on me. I think the hooks are there, but people should not expect fast paced, outright catchy songs for 11 straight tracks. I thought TPC did a good job of mixing up the pace and maturing in their song writing-content. The lyrics throughout the album involve longing for and reflecting on the past, albeit in somewhat sci-fi ways. Still, A Lesson In Crime didn't have all hooky tracks. Shoulders and Arms, If it Works, and La Ferraise (sp?) were very different and not as exciting as the other songs on the EP. There are so many catchy tracks on Elephant Shell: In a Cave, Graves, Tessellate, Nursery Academy, Your English is Good, Juno. Still the other tracks are good and have great variety jammed into 2.5 minutes are less. … Expand

I would've rated it higher than The Onion did, but I couldn't agree more with the general sentiment: "As it stands, it's a really good album by a band that should've made--and still might make--a really, really great one."

I've listened to the album several times now. Where I would have given "A Lesson In Crime" an 8 or 8.5, I can't go that high for this. A lot of the songs are good, but not great. The hooks were stronger on the EP, and I can't help but feel that turning down the intensity isn't good for TPC. However, "Your English is Good" is easily the best thing they've ever done. Amazing song.… Expand

Great album. Thanks.

Is anyone sick of this sound? I hear it everywhere. I must admit that I thought this album was pretty catchy

I agree that this definitely could've been much better, and could have even been cut down into another ep instead of a full release. however, this album's good moments outweigh its weaknesses.

Exciting and thrilling from beginning to end.