On
In the Pit of the Stomach
,
We Were Promised Jetpacks
deliver songs that feel like a wallop to the gut. Much harder-hitting than their debut,
These Four Walls
, this album harnesses the power the band displayed before into a wall of sound that's as rousing as it is anguished, starting with "Circles and Squares" and only letting up for the occasional ballad. Their previous indie pop leanings are mostly gone, though "Medicine"'s driving post-post-punk has a tunefulness that makes it a standout. Instead,
explore the limits of their dynamic and emotional ranges, tasks that drummer
Darren Lackie
helps with ably, whether he's adding urgency to the relatively subdued "Act on Impulse" or fueling the headlong rush of "Through the Dirt and the Gravel." And while the album's slower moments are rare, they also show just how far the band has come since
; "Sore Thumb"'s sweeping, expansive beauty calls to mind a more straightforward
Mogwai
. Their darkest and most complex work yet,
unleashes
' full fury with impressive results. ~ Heather Phares