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The emo kids are sure to love Beijing band Tookoo's new album

Self described as "the true scream of the real EMO," Tookoo's 7years is a slick and surprising well-produced album that could have come out of any country in the world anytime in the last... ahem... seven years. Fans of AFI and Hot Water Music should take note, while fans of early Rainer Maria and Asshole Parade should probably take a seat.

Once you get past the synth-heavy party-punk opening track "I’m the captain," 7years moves quickly into the melodic, jangly open-handed guitars and dueling start-stop vocals that constitute contemporary emocore. Few tracks, with the exception of crescendo heavy, anthemic "Don’t Be Afraid," and soppy-sweet closer "Wishes" really stand out. Rather, 7years settles for comfortable and consistent confidence. Depending on where you stand on the black-eyeliner/ choppy haircut/ tight pants divide, Tookoo’s nonsensical high school notebook lyrics (delivered with painfully earnest urgency) are sure to either thrill or annoy. In the end though, anyone who has ever (no matter how briefly) considered a spider-web elbow tattoo ought to be able to give this CD a thorough and empathic listen. Go on. Punch the air. You know you want to.