The Ark, "One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young" (2004)

When The Ark -- Swedish purveyors of stomping glampop-rock -- are mediocre, they are just about comparable to a band that they've supported on tour: The Darkness. But when they're on, they're bloody brilliant, and can give Scissor Sisters a glittery run for their money. (Of course, having released their first album in 2000, The Ark actually predates both of these bands.)

Two of my three favorite Ark songs are slow builders: "It Takes A Fool To Remain Sane," and "This Piece Of Poetry Is Meant To Do Harm" both keep us on the edge of our seats as, respectively, synths and guitars build and build, making us wait for the full-on gallop to begin. (Sadly, "Piece Of Poetry" fades out way too soon.) Hitting you much more quickly is the third: "One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young," a single off of the band's third album State Of The Ark, which was released in Europe four days before 2004 expired, but just now hitting American shores. The track begins with a drum beat and an urgent keyboard run that might put you in mind of Madonna's "Jimmy Jimmy." And when Ola Salo sings, you could almost swear that he's swiping the tune of his verses from "Teenage Kicks." That's right: this sounds like a melodic punk anthem sung to a 80s synthpop beat, topped with a song title that, like many of the band's other efforts, Jim Steinman would be proud of. I'll so there (*makes devil horns*).