BEST OF 2010 (songs) #24 Japandroids - Younger Us

Last year's "Post-Nothing" by Japandroids was one of 2009's best. The band's punk take on Thin Lizzy was as potent as it was timeless and re-injected some much needed unabashed rock and roll into the indie landscape. This year found the band releasing an excellent series of 45s, including this one. It was difficult to pick out a best of from the lot, but "Younger Us," could sit side by side with any track from "Post-Nothing" and come out equal or better. Like the brilliant "Young Hearts Spark Fire," the track is characterized by nostalgia for a carefree youth in the face of aging. Yet, while the band may sound old lyrically, they play with all the energy and power of an 18-year-old, blazing a barn burner across the record's grooves. Anyone that rocks with this much vim and vigor really has no business mourning their youth, because their best days are clearly here and now.