I feel it's important that we take a minute to discuss the logistical feasibility of Voltron, as well as the direct parallels between the Voltron Force and the Wicked Farleys' Make It It. I'd just like to straighten a couple of things out here, lest we become deluded into thinking it's safe to attempt to form a gargantuan, complex robotic warrior with a few of our close friends.

First of all, it's my firm belief that there's no way that the human constituents of Voltron could possibly survive the physical shock intrinsic to Voltron-speed combat. Let's examine the cold, hard facts: the various Voltron members are strapped crudely into the cockpits of their respective lions. The only other protection offered is an eggshell-thin helmet and a fruity jumpsuit. The five protagonists assemble to form Voltron. Voltron swings limbs madly, defeating evil and ensuring the sanctity of the universe.

If we look closely, though, we find that Voltron-speed combat necessitates near-infinite acceleration of limbs-- in one frame, we may see Voltron bracing to strike his target, yet in the next frame, Voltron has already struck. We can discern that motion has occurred from the curved white lines attached to certain limbs and their accompanying whooshing noises. Acceleration at speeds near infinity and abrupt stops would create such severe g-forces that the human operators would be crushed like bugs against the sides of their cockpits. Admittedly, the Voltron team has a generally healthy constitution, especially the stout Hank. But nobody could try to assert that the nerdy little runt in the glasses would stand anything but an ice cube's chance in hell. The public service portion being done, we may proceed.

On the Wicked Farleys' debut album, Sentinel and Enterprise, the four male band members attempted to form an indie pop Voltron. Yet, seeing as they were only four, they were forced to hobble around awkwardly on only one leg. They were a formidable fighting force, but they lacked adequate membership to comprise a non-invalid Voltron. Without the capability to unleash the cataclysmic blazing sword technology, they were incapable of successfully defending the galaxy. Then, along came Vanessa Downing, a fearless maiden willing to take command of the blue lion, play rhythm guitar, and sing backup vocals.

Make It It presents the Wicked Farleys as they near their full Voltron potential. "Voltron arms!" they proclaim as the wall of swirly, ethereal guitar noise commences. "Voltron legs!" they yell as clever drums lock into place. "Blazing sword!" they say as the infectious sugary melodies begin burrowing into your head. "Get him out of your mind/ Get her out of your mind" is the ironic refrain of "Love Squats," the album's opening track, as the song immediately nests in the deepest recesses of the mind. And there's no escape from the first 10 seconds of "Feathered," as the snaking chords seductively draw you in.

Much as the Voltron team was truly innovative and original in mechanical-lion-to-robotic- behemoth conversion technology, the Wicked Farleys explore uncharted regions of indie pop with a sound that's uniquely their own. The band skillfully constructs ambitiously complex chord structures while maintaining the flexibility to move from delicate, breezy melodies to grittier distorted sections at will. "Autonomish" moves proficiently from beauty to chaos to hardcore to bouncy punk fun in less than 90 seconds. Remember, Voltron is not only powerful, but agile.

For their intriguing beauty and unheralded chord progressions, the Wicked Farleys resemble a Dismemberment Plan with less calories but the same experimental ambition. They're not so concerned with rocking hard as creating delicate angular melodies, but the same spirit prevails. The beginning of "Love Squats" even reminds me subtly of the opening of "8½ Minutes." This is good news for all. The indie pop galaxy is in safe hands with bands like the Wicked Farleys prepared to mount a devastating assault on the evils of poor taste and trite songwriting. When they assemble to form the Wicked Farleys, villains tremble.

-Taylor M. Clark