For as smart, clever well read that all these self-styled indie-rock sophisticates make themselves out to be, you'd think at least one or two of these dudes making noise in nine-member bands would at least know about the law of parsimony, and maybe, just maybe, apply the less is better approach to making music. Fat chance in this era of Arcade Fire emulation and over-arranged, over-orchestrated young gunslingers, right?

Maybe not. Japandroids return with their third effort in as many years with more proof that less is usually more. The duo doesn't let its teeny tiny lineup stand in the way of making an enormous sound, though. Post-Nothing turns the notion of two-man White Stripes minimalism on its ear, as the band's hyperactive guitar distortion and spasm-inducing drum work's ferocious and loud enough to drown out an entire army of Arcade Fires. It'll probably also win over a lot of fans of freaky, sweaty rock from acts as diverse as Sonic Youth's artful abandon to modern noise-mongers Future of the Left.

The Canadian duo builds its foundation firmly on rock traditions, somehow checking everything from garage through the punk explosion to the noise-rock heyday of the '90s. There's also enough classic-rock idolatry and snarling confidence mixed in to really mess up anyone looking for a clear roadmap through the band's songs. Just chalk Post-Nothing up as the latest installment of forward-leaning rock and leave it simple as that.

Post-Nothing opens with "The Boys are Leaving Town," good-naturedly pissing all over the ghost of Thin Lizzy to front a tune thick with fuzzed-out guitars, though it's never enough to step on the band's melodic sense. That's the formula for the rest of Post-Nothing and it works well for the duo. "Heart Sweats" powers ahead on a droning, driving rock riff and lets guitarist Brian King and drummer David Prowse's vocals carry the melody. "Sovereignty" messes with lo-fi goo, as the band relaxes its muscles for a brief bit, "Young Hearts Spark Fire" and "Crazy/Forever" blaze right back into the fury of excessive rock.

Call it what you want -- Occam's Razor, the law of parsimony, rules of economy -- but Japandroids bear out the ideal that simpler is usually better. Post-Nothing doesn't sacrifice power or body as its minimalist lineup cranks out the maximalist noise. Maybe it's time to cut the dead wood and get rid of your band's extra seven members.