so i went down to my local cd shop and was browsing through the CD section, as i normally do, while Rod Stewart was on the radio, like he always is in that place. i wasn't looking for anything particular, just checked to see if they got any pinback or wintersleep cd's in, and then hung my head in disappointment (not that i shouldn't have known better). i stumbled down to the beginning of the cd section because their floor is warped from an overflowed toilet in the loft above, and i began to run my fingers through the rack with that familiar click. i picked out this album and flipped it over to make sure that there was in fact a back to the case and proceeded to the cash register. i bartered with the clerk, exchanging a pre-cut of paper promising monetary reimbursement for the album, he gave me a hand written receipt. i walked out throught the back.

this is an album album, which is a rare occasion. from the beginning to the end runs a stream of craftsmanship that binds each song to the prior and to the later. it's not just three songs that you can tell they really really tried on, and then just ordered the rest from the chinese restaurant on the corner. instead, the arrangements add a steady consistency through each song. leading in and out of one another, mixed with shots of thumping drums and countered with slow arpeggios. and right when you think that they have lost their friendly ghost and further listening is not needed, they hit you with their almost patented songwriting, drowning you once more.

as you can tell, i like this. and since i'm an american and live by numbers and ratings, this album easily reserves a spot in the top five of 2005. if you are familiar with any of their previous works (such as source codes and tags) then you can expect another excellent album, that continues to exaggerate their musical theories, which is a good thing.

(9 of 10)