How many times have you seen it happen: indie hotshot band makes a swell record, gets lots of press, builds a fan base, signs to a bigger label, and immediately releases a completely horrible record that loses all its fans and turns the critics into a frothing pack of wild dogs. Quite often. manages to nimbly sidestep this tragedy by signing with (just a small leap up in size from ) and releasing a record that is actually a whole lot better than anything the group has previously done. In fact, it is better than one could imagine them ever being. is a dramatic, thoughtful, emotional, imaginative, and hard-rocking effort full of songs that will tug at your heartstrings anthemically. The band, with help from producer , tones down its sonic assault a couple of notches and allows the music to open up and breathe some. Songs like the desperate-sounding and are epics built around the spiraling guitars of , manic yet tightly controlled drums, fuzzy keyboards, and 's soaring vocals; she's lost all traces of tunelessness but none of the toughness or power. There are traces of '80s , , and in their sound; you could lump them in with the new wave of bands like or because they seem to share the same aesthetic. The only difference is that the members of mean every word they say and note they play. And they are as good as any of the bands they take their cues from. is the kind of record that will make the band's career. Put on the short list of bands that matter and make sure you get this record. ~ Tim Sendra