Reel around the fawning: The Drums' Morrissey worship right on the "Money"

Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before. A few years ago, when he was still spitting sighs over synths in underrated electronic act Elkland, the main knock on -- and source of amusement from -- Jonathan Pierce was his was lifting of dance moves from the late Ian Curtis. Now fronting THE DRUMS, a band that's getting the fame and accolades Elkland appeared destined for back in 2005 (but never realized), he's got more than a fair share of Morrissey lodged deep in his voice.

With a music video that suggests a Strangeways visit is in short order, the NYC band's jittery surf-poppin' new single "Money" is ripped right from the BBC clutches of Hatful of Hollow. And well, it's pretty magnetic. If the Mozzer himself is going to stay forever ensconced in his elder-statesman Vegas Era -- and those new tracks released online a few weeks ago suggest more Years of Refusal-esque doldrums -- then we'll gladly take this bold blonde bout of Steven Patrick Morrissey worship wrapped nicely in 2011's ever-hip garage-pop wave. Better this than the Dears.  

The Drums' new record, Portamento, drops Sept. 13 off Island records. And yes, we're forever holding out for an Elkland reunion: This is damn-near pop perfection.

Alt headlines: "Strangeways, Here We Drum," "Shakespeare's Lifter," and "Hand in Drums."