Home
Vision Valley
Loading Inventory...
Barnes and Noble
Vision Valley
Current price: $14.49
Barnes and Noble
Vision Valley
Current price: $14.49
Loading Inventory...
Size: OS
*Product Information may vary - to confirm product availability, pricing, and additional information please contact Barnes and Noble
After 2004's lackluster
and
' subsequent breakdown, it certainly seemed like
were never to be heard from again. Surprisingly, though, the band persevered:
was diagnosed with and treated for the neurobiological disorder Asperger's Syndrome, and guitarist
and drummer
stuck by him (bassist
left to play with
). The trio recorded
in a few small studios around Sydney, and the album has the back-to-basics sound of a band getting back on its feet again.
have consolidated their strengths, sticking to their formula of wound-up, grungy
and pretty,
-tinged
. Fortunately, they still do both well, as outbursts like
keep it spare and simple, while the title track and
show that
and company's softer, lusher songs have nearly as much impact as the harder ones. Especially on the first half of
, everything is tight, focused, and shiny, particularly on the playful
of
and the insidiously catchy single
both of which offer a more bubblegummy take on their
sound. If anything,
almost feels too tightly constructed, lacking the messiness and loose ends that made
sound like they had so much potential on
. However,
captures some of the freewheeling spirit they had on their debut, and when they stretch out on the lengthy, atmospheric
and the floaty,
-esque album closer,
it feels like
may still regain the momentum they had earlier in their career.
might be a little predictable, but at least
sound like they're back in control of their lives and music again. ~ Heather Phares