Compare Blur

, for all of its many virtues, painted into a corner and there was only one way out -- to abandon the that they had instigated by bringing the weird strands that always floated through their music to the surface. may superficially appear to be a break from tradition, but it is a logical progression, highlighting the band's rich eclecticism and sense of songcraft. Certainly, they are trying for new sonic territory, bringing in shards of white noise, gurgling electronics, raw guitars, and druggy , but these are just extensions of previously hidden elements of 's music. What makes it exceptional is how hard the band tries to reinvent itself within its own framework, and the level of which it succeeds. runs through the in the space of five minutes; reinterprets Berlin-era ; despite the corny title, is affecting from is bizarrely affecting, strangled is an affecting resignation; is an incredible slice of singalong spiked with winding, fluid guitar and synth eruptions; while cleverly subverts the traditional song, complete with strings. And is a six-minute slab of free verse and rattling guitar noise. might be self-consciously eclectic, but are at their best when they are trying to live up to their own pretensions, because of 's exceptional sense of songcraft and the band's knack for detailed arrangements that flesh out the songs to their fullest. There might be dark overtones to the record, but the band sounds positively joyous, not only in making noise but wreaking havoc with the expectations of its audience and critics. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine