This one has taken me quite by surprise. I had the EP when it came out and I thought it was okay. "You Are a Runner and I Am My Father's Son" is a great song, but it was the only thing that stood out to me on the EP. The only reason I've decided to check out the album is because, for some reason (touring arrangements maybe?) I can't think of Wolf Parade without thinking of The Arcade Fire. And we all know that The Arcade Fire = good.

"You Are a Runner..." opens Apologies to the Queen Mary. It's a cleaner version than that recorded for the EP. It's still a good song. The thing about this album is it feels like fall. It actually feels like a lot of things, but fall most so. Repition and ambience are used to amazing effect on all of these songs.

I can't wait to see these guys live. Their sound is so raw. It's the kind of music that, heard live, would make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Take "Fancy Claps" for example. It's whirlwind of synths and drums is both frantic and beautiful. It's very rare that I listen to something with intensity, but you can't help it with that song, and many others on the album.

Even "Dinner Bells", pushing 8 minutes, captivates you. You get drawn into the music so easily. I ended up listening to this thing almost all night without even realizing it. I find myself skipping back to the beginning of a song several times before I get all the way through it. This is especially so with "Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts". I've been pondering these lyrics since I first heard it. Just a small sample: "Now, I would say that it's all in God's hands / But God doesn't always have the best goddamned plans now, does he?".

I can't believe it's almost October already. That leaves three months in 2005. Now, I've heard some damn good albums this year, but Apologies to the Queen Mary is the first truly gorgeous album I've heard yet. I'm still reeling from how great this album is. Like I said, I had no inkling, really. It will definitely be in heavy rotation in my library for a while to come.