Demon

Yeah welfare states. A bunch of Swedish dudes and a French chick that sings like a pre-pubescent boy are going to have you bobbing your head in your car as fellow motorists look on with wonderment. This album can be described in the simplest terms and enjoyed similarly. Sing-a-long vocals, instruments galore and that European communal vibe provide numerous two minute eargasms. If you enjoy smiling than look no further. I've worn out worse albums so better buy two copies.

Whatever Demon's shortcomings, Envelopes themselves prove to be capable of something bigger. There are several instances of pure inventiveness scattered throughout the album, and if proper steps are taken with the follow-up that is currently in the works, those dots will connect to form a true sophomore success. The inhuman enthusiasm that simply thrives in the beginning of Demon would do well to be carried over, and if the musicians can channel their apparent talent into more complex, yet still exciting numbers, Envelopes will be deservedly heard among the more recognizable hyper-prog names. As it stands, both Envelopes and Demon fall short. Feeling something like Model Architecture in Helsinki, there's too much support for casting the band down as a mediocre version of something great we've already heard. Hyper-prog itself exists so that listeners never have a chance to feel tired of what they're hearing, but unless efforts are made (efforts well within the artists' ability, mind you), Envelopes may find themselves facing a collective shoulder shrug from the music community at large. For now, Demon can rest easy in the mold it was formed from, entertaining as a good retread can be, but nowhere near anything that has already been considered great.