Minneapolisian indie-dance band *The Battle Royale* are to release their second album *Wake Up, Thunderbabe* on 8th January through *Afternoon Records*. A fast and moving start to the new year obviously! People who have discovered and loved this quartet with their debut *Sparkledust Fantasy* would expect so.For those who are yet to have heard the name *The Battle Royale* (except the Japanese movie – nice pick as a band name by the way!), imagine an emphatic mixture of *Architecture in Helsinki*, *The Faint*, *Of Montreal*, *CSS*, *You Say Party! We Say Die!*, *Sunset Rubdown* and a little bit of another Afternoon Records band *We All Have Hooks For Hands*; now that is something passing close to the sound of *The Battle Royale*. Well, you might say “_sounds like the usual electro / dance-punk trend we have been getting showered in the last decade_”? Yes, you are right. What makes *The Battle Royale* different from the others on the other hand is their bilateral way into music, one of which is leading in the folk direction where the other one is gamboling in the dance path. Following the said point of view; *Wake Up, Thunderbabe* is drawn up in one side dance, one side folk design. *Racecar* and *Scream Scream* are the first set of singles from the album. Racecar is an absolute call for dance. Positively full of go and energetic. Considering the praiseful words about *Oh Martha* from the debut, I think *Racecar* is going to be a winner too. *Scream Scream* is a nice sample of folk blended in a modern rock sound. Can’t help but recall *Sunset Rubdown* especially in this one. Maybe it’s the general sound of the tune (which reminds me of *The Little Ones* on a serious level too!) or maybe it’s the *Spencer Krug* (Bless him!) style vocals… not sure really. Just enjoying the song muchly. So for a fresh and moving start to 2008, I think checking *The Battle Royale* out could be a good idea. Plus they are hailing from the mighty *Minnesota* music scene and don’t we know that Minnesota bands disappoint us very rarely…Enjoy the move!-ChampersListen "Scream Scream": "HERE":http://puddlegum.net/the-battle-royale-to-release-wake-up-thunderbabe/