Handsome Furs' Dan Boeckner and Alexei Perry aren't the only married couple to embrace synths and an '80s sound lately — Grand Duchy sees the Pixies' Frank Black doing the same with Violet Clark. But there's a twitchy sense of risk to Handsome Furs that can be rare in spousal collaborations, as Perry splashes bracing electronics against Boeckner's grave baritone, seedy lyrics, and hungry guitar work. Riddled with thrilling contrasts, the Furs' recent Face Control holds together better than 2007's Plague Park, while also providing an intoxicating detour for fans of Boeckner's other band, Wolf Parade.
