Face Control

Handsome Furs take their raw and roily cerebral rock to arena-sized heights with their sophomore release. Dan Boeckner's blistering guitar work sears the edges of Alexei Perry's icy synth lines on electro-power-pop clap-along "I'm Confused" and heartland rocker "All We Want, Baby, Is Everything." Perry gives "Passport Kontrol" and "White City" a dubby, atmospheric pop edge, and they find their peak on "Evangeline," a growling, sludgy track that combines Nick Cave's haunting intensity with Arcade Fire's thrilling drama.