(Music) The Dears: "Gang of Losers"

After The Dears' 2004 masterpiece, "No Cities Left," many fans were left wondering if it could get any better. That album made The Dears into one of indie rock's biggest stars and one of Canada's most notable talents, so topping such a brilliant album would undoubtedly be a monumental task. Fortunately for the fans, The Dears have not let us down. "Gang of Losers" not only builds upon the fundamental sound of The Dears, but it also improves it.

The album begins with a somber, synth-driven, introduction (here known as "Synthro") which leads suddenly into "Ticket to Immortality," one of The Dears' finest songs to date. Murray Lightburn, the mastermind behind The Dears is in top form on this song, especially during the chorus, where he wails "I hang out with all the pariahs!" or at the coda where he declares "The world is really gonna love you!" And while these may not be the most poignant of lyrics, Lightburn presents them with such passion and honesty that it's hard not to enjoy every moment of the song.

The album then moves along rather nicely, with songs like "Hate Then Love" and "Bandwagoneers" standing out. The latter song begins rather simply, but then in typical Dears fashion, it explodes into an emotionally-charged coda where Lightburn exclaims "Heaven knows that I'm a fake! Heaven knows that we're all faking it!" Here, his enchanting voice breaks down and he shouts these lines with such animalistic sincerity that it's almost frightening, but undeniably moving. It is, by far, my favorite moment on the album.

"You and I are a Gang of Losers" is another fantastic song, and one of the most touching tracks on the album. However, the album reaches it's climax at "Ballad of Humankindness," where Lightburn laments "No one should have to live all of their life on their own." The song manages to capture Lightrburn's heart, or at least what he would have us to believe of it. More importantly, however, it is the best track on the album and, quite honestly, one of the year's best songs.

From there, the album closes nicely with "I Fell Deep" and "Find our Way to Freedom" (The U.S. Version has a few bonus tracks, but none are worthy of noting). By the time the album is finished, it's nearly impossible to not have affected in some way or another. The Dears are a band whose sound is so universally appealing that to call it anything but a masterpiece would be a travesty. "Gang of Losers" is beautiful, touching, powerful, and even fun at times. For an album that's almost entirely about not fitting in, that's quite an achievement.

Recommended for fans of The Dears, and anyone who's interested in hearing one of the best bands in indie rock today.

Key Tracks:
1. "Ticket to Immortality"
2. "There Goes My Outfit"
3. "Bandwagoneers"
4. "You and I are a Gang of Losers"
5. "Ballad of Humankindness"

4 out of 5 Stars