Arm's Way

Arm's Way is the second studio album by Montreal-based indie rock band Islands. It was released on May 20, 2008, on CD and download. The album's title is a play on the words "harm's way". The album leaked online on April 11, 2008.

Concept and production
Drummer Aaron Harris outlined the album's concept and the band's songwriting approach thus: "We took a different approach with this album in that the music is focused on the band members – there are not any special appearances. Arm's was conceived in Montreal, we wrote the songs in a room with old NOFX and Insane Clown Posse posters on the wall. As a band we put the music together and then singer Nick Thorburn wrote the lyrics."

Music
The musical style of Arm's Way represents a departure from the Graceland-inspired sound of debut album Return to the Sea. Rebecca Raber of Pitchfork writes, "Gone are the guest rappers, the acoustic nuevo-country twang, and the sunny Afro-Caribbean flourishes ... In their place are theatrical string arrangements, layers of silvery, minor-key guitars, and lots of gothy synthesizers." Most lyrics include references to death and violence, themes which are shared with frontman Nick Thorburn's previous project The Unicorns.

Personnel
Adapted from AllMusic.
 * Patrice Agbokou – bass
 * Rebecca Bird – artwork
 * Doug Boehm – mixing
 * Greg Calbi – mastering
 * Alex Chow – percussion, synthesizer, viola, violin
 * Sebastian Chow – oboe, piano, violin, vocals
 * Chris Constable – mixing assistant
 * Corn Gangg – drum programming
 * Steve Fallone – mastering
 * Patrick Gregoire – bass clarinet, guitar
 * Ryan Hadlock – engineer, producer
 * Aaron Harris – drums, percussion, vocals
 * Islands – arranger, primary artist, producer
 * Mathieu Roberge – assistant engineer
 * Rob Schnapf – mixing
 * Nick Thorburn – guitar, vocals
 * Alexander Wagner – photography