On Aug. 12, the WEA/Fueled by Ramen label released Young the Giant’s third album, Home of the Strange. While a bit of the album dabbles in the mediocre range, there are some stand out numbers that make it rise above others in the electronic indie genre.

Home of the Strange begins on a rather blah number, “Amerika,” and I found myself hoping that the whole album wouldn’t keep that sound. It was slow and unimaginative. However, the second number, “Something to Believe In,” starts with hefty bass and percussion as well as heavy lyrics that are a dramatic improvement over the first. The album kind of goes back and forth for a while. “Elsewhere” was dull, but “Jungle Youth” has a darker sound that takes a step out of mediocrity.

The album eventually finds its foothold and has some fun and appealing tunes. Chimes and piano give a pretty tonal sound to “Titus was born.” “Art Exhibit” has a spacey acoustic tone that’s punctuated periodically by electronics. And “Nothing’s Over” is probably the most interesting number on the album with a contrast of high and low instrumentation on the intro that turns into a danceable pop number. It even has a bit of Bowie influence mixed in. The album ends on the title track which could be an indie club song with its thumping beat and catchy tune. It just about erases the more unexceptional tunes from your memory and ends the album on a high note.

Much of the album gives an ‘80’s pop impression, and here and there you can find similarities to the R&B feel of Maroon 5. On good songs, these influences work well. On bad ones, they sound wholly unoriginal. Overall, I would give the album a three. If I listen again, I’ll be picking and choosing my favorites, not playing the whole thing.