makes a triumphant return to , non-linear style with 2007's . Maybe was afraid that the comparatively poppy and were edging too close to the mainstream, because he seems far less concerned with overtly accessible songwriting on . Even still, the cerebral, atmospheric sound on this album remains enormously compelling from almost the first moment. While there is no "radio single" on the disc -- certainly nothing with a conventional arc like or -- most songs transcend their complex structure and feel as provocative as any tune. The aptly named in particular, features 's trademark lush arrangement with layers of vocals, piano, synths, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, live drums and sampled drums -- but cutting through its tightly contained mosaic is an expertly constructed chord progression that evokes a desperate sense of tension and longing, developing incredible emotional momentum as the track progresses. sounds like spent about half of his studio time on the guitar; it's full of buzzy, meticulously distorted solos that you can easily picture him folding into the prototypical amalgamation of drum machine, organ, and synthesizers during many long hours in front of the sound board. The quiet, English restraint with which croons seems to have saved his voice from the decay that so many male singers experience over a twenty year career, and lucky for us (and for him), the style still works perfectly with 's sound. As a vocalist, he has an amazing capacity for juxtaposing cold, haunting moments against evisceratingly passionate ones, mostly thanks to the control he exerts over his instrument. 's clear, boy's choir timbre sounds like a torrent of frenzy and hunger when he breaks free of it and explores the limits of his vox on tracks like His sleepy, melodic approach also has the benefit of ensuring that his poetic lyrics, which run the gamut from acerbic social criticisms to wrenching personal narratives, are always perfectly discernible. Though it's only six tracks long, each of the songs on is exquisitely crafted, even the 17-minute long has a great sense of flow, leading mournful, into graceful crescendos, and over long interludes that sway blissfully throughout rises and falls, only occasionally losing themselves to moments of plodding or meandering. At roughly 51 minutes, is short by standards, but by measure of quality rather than quantity, it's one of the most substantial albums to come out in years. ~ Cammila Albertson