Recorded at the Tragically Hip’s Bathouse studio, the Arkells’ sophomore effort Michigan Left may in fact be one of the bigger surprises of 2011. It not only bucks the sophomore jinx, but it is also the band’s major label debut. This is an album thatis immediately accessible and a far jauntier effort than the band’s debut Jackson Square. Lead single “Whistleblower” provides a good bridge between the debut and sophomore albums, but the follow-up “Kiss-Cam” is a summery slice of can-pop that while being undeniably infectious provides a great representation of the remainder of the disc (also see “Book Club”).