We liked Parquet Courts' debut album Light Up Gold so much we didn't wait for it to get a UK release to review it. Back in January, Tom Hughes wrote: "Parquet Courts have produced a debut that's both instantly addictive and lastingly rewarding: a smart, snappy concoction of worldly wisdom and garage-rock gratification."

And how would the band describe themselves? Let's see what their own Andrew Savage has had to say: "We started the band in New York, so it made sense to identify with that. I mean, we identify as an American band; we identify as a New York band. I think the way the songs are written are similar to the bands that get mentioned in regards to us, like Modern Lovers, or any band that's lyrically focused. A lot of the songs on Light Up Gold, or any Parquet Courts song, really, tend to start with the lyrics and the melody. Everything else tends to serve those. I don't know if that's a New York thing or an American thing. It's just a recipe for making good punk music, really."

Now you can judge for yourself. Have a listen using the widget below, and let us know what you think.

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