3x****
A bit of a reiteration of the debut, some songs do bring killer hooks. "Took Out A Loan" tries to capture grit with a grungy riff, but is ultimately a less catchy than similar songs off the debut, and the double time riff starting off the faster coda seems forced. "Berlin" is extremely radio-friendly with its "what happened to the revolution" chorus but is also too formula. "Weapon Of Choice" brings a bit of the rustic flavor of the previous album. "Window"**** how ever is driven by piano and is a complete departure with it's Beatlesque hooks, until the song fully develops in the chorus. "Not What You Wanted" returns as the happiest-sounding song. "666 Conducer" unnecessarily appropriates the When The Levee Breaks aesthetic. "All You Do Is Talk" breaks down into a limp almost Coldplay, mid-tempo anthem. "Lien On Your Dreams"**** finally brings the biggest hooks in the simplest Brit-pop form with the oddly cadenced vocals and chugging bass line. "Need Some Air" features the odd gothically-voiced chords that marked the debut album. "Killing The Light" tries to rock hard to swing feel. The 9-minute "American X"**** sets a stark and insistent groove, before the chorus takes an unexpected melodic turn, sung in an intense John Lennon register. Unfortunately the closer is the bombastic "Am I Only", which again turns to Coldplay territory.
A bit of a reiteration of the debut, some songs do bring killer hooks. "Took Out A Loan" tries to capture grit with a grungy riff, but is ultimately a less catchy than similar songs off the debut, and the double time riff starting off the faster coda seems forced. "Berlin" is extremely radio-friendly with its "what happened to the revolution" chorus but is also too formula. "Weapon Of Choice" brings a bit of the rustic flavor of the previous album. "Window"**** how ever is driven by piano and is a complete departure with it's Beatlesque hooks, until the song fully develops in the chorus. "Not What You Wanted" returns as the happiest-sounding song. "666 Conducer" unnecessarily appropriates the When The Levee Breaks aesthetic. "All You Do Is Talk" breaks down into a limp almost Coldplay, mid-tempo anthem. "Lien On Your Dreams"**** finally brings the biggest hooks in the simplest Brit-pop form with the oddly cadenced vocals and chugging bass line. "Need Some Air" features the odd gothically-voiced chords that marked the debut album. "Killing The Light" tries to rock hard to swing feel. The 9-minute "American X"**** sets a stark and insistent groove, before the chorus takes an unexpected melodic turn, sung in an intense John Lennon register. Unfortunately the closer is the bombastic "Am I Only", which again turns to Coldplay territory.
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