Since 2000, these Chicago brothers and their childhood buddy have made esteemed indie rock that is being touted by very important people as being music's Next Big Thing and ‘a breath of fresh air.’ Now, I think we've all heard these claims many times over by now. And really, how often do these claims really pan out? It seems like these guys are definitely doing something right, racking up nominations and awards – but come on, just how many truly great indie bands are out there still residing in relative obscurity?
The album starts off with the single “Motor Shine,” a wistful and subtle soft rock tune that reminds me of a more subdued version of another great obscure band, Mansions. “Mood Ring” follows and is equally tame and certainly moody, while “White Light Rose” gets spacey and psych-influenced. Nearing the middle, “Photos Of Madrid” is where the listener starts to become engaged with the band's stylish and atypical songs, as it builds into the hypnotic allure of the best songs by (the also obscure) Reuben's Accomplice. “Truth & Anger” then takes another direction with a firm '80s post-punk background, and it succeeds in being one of the best on the disc.
The second half brings in a lot of electronic noises and '80s feelings, as “Hurricane Entertainment” comes off as a darker Ben Gibbard project, while “Never Better” seems like it could have been in any Jon Hughes movie. “Riverblind,” a blurry ballad, remains as the most solemn offering here; at nearly five minutes, it almost outstays its welcome, but the skittering “Established In Baltimore” redeems the album before the bipolar closing of “The Vandal & The Godsend,” which is shrouded in mystery and both a little frightening and a lot beautiful.
If you are someone who is still waiting for the second album by The Postal Service, well, that's looking like it's never going to happen so you'd be wise to pick this up instead. And if you were wondering, 'Next Big Thing' and 'a breath of fresh air' are both sentiments I'd agree with.