Gatsbys American Dream

Volcano

[5] Concept albums are a dangerous move in any band’s career. Concept albums about volcanoes are pretty much doomed from the start. Yet somehow, Gatsbys American Dream beat the pretension-equals-disaster jinx with Volcano, an insanely elaborate opus that technically is about Pompeii, but can really be about any topic you want it to be about (common answers, depending on who you ask, might be the record industry, relationships gone sour or your high school’s required-reading list). The band create a dense fusion of indie-pop and post-hardcore on Volcano that takes a few spins to absorb; but once the intricate arrangements seep into your brain, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this record. (FEARLESS)-Scott Heisel