Vice & Daring

Boulevard’s six-song EP starts off quite well with a tight, barroom rock sound fuelling “So Electric,” but singer Benji Barton’s voice takes a moment or two to get accustomed to, falling alongside the likes of the Knack. But they are far more diverse than just barroom rock, particularly with a retro-dance vibe oozing out of the Franz Ferdinand-meets-early-Strokes on the satisfying, bubbly “Marie.” Boulevard are content but pushing themselves and their boundaries on each track, nailing “Dreams of Home” and a sweeping “Hand in Hand” that bring to mind classic, majestic Suede numbers or current efforts from the Tears. The lone miscue might be “Disarray,” a slightly above average song that seems fine on first listen but is far too simple and telegraphed with its high harmonies and sweeter handclaps. Fortunately, the following synthesizer-tinged “Possibly the Last” is frantic and pulled off quite nicely. Boulevard are on the right track with this effort. – Jason MacNeil