The Only Thing I'll Be Listening to for 6 Months.

Yes.

It is finally out.

Three years since Futures, two since Stay On My Side Tonight (EP).

I've missed them.

Buy it... it's their best album since Clarity. The fact that I can say that with confidence despite that I listened to it for the first time today (even though it leaked on the internet like two weeks ago) is a threat to even that album (Clarity being my absolute favourite album--by any band). If you aren't going to buy it, download it and get converted. Then buy it.

Favourite track: #6. Gotta Be Somebody's Blues.

Interesting facts:

• Jim Adkins and Zach Lind had their family members sing for parts of the album.
• Big Casino is a reference to Adkins' side project "Go Big Casino"
• Naomi would love the cello in the above "Favourite track"
• The band is getting such intense reviews for their live show (which I can personally vouch for) that this release is almost assuredly going to be their most successful. I'm really excited to see them getting the press they deserve.
• This album is a lot darker than previous ones.
• Though Rolling Stone describes them as "power pop rock", iTunes lists them as Alt/Punk. I'd have to say both are fair...