*keepers-3*avg-2.91
Ranging from pop-R&B to sludgy, abrasive funk, this is another album that revisits the extents of the last two Afghan Whigs albums. Opener "I'm Ready" wastes no time rocking and has a strange brittle production, though it sounds dumbed-down. Both this song and the anthemic "Bonnie Brae"**** prominently feature Dulli's sloppy and jagged riffs, resembling guitar parts on Bruce Springsteen's songs that are obviously his. Unlike the Twilight album, there are no shortage of rock songs here, though they frequently get lazy and go for cheap kicks, like quoting 'she loves you yeah yeah yeah' in "Forty Dollars", or forced and awkward milking the vampire teat again in the cheesy "My Time". There is also a new tendency toward the Coldplay grandiosity, including the perpetually ascending "There's Been An Accident" and almost emo-punk "Underneath the Waves". It should come as no surprise to me that the high point is Greg as soulful as he has ever been on "Candy Cane Crawl"**** which fights its way heavenward from a dark, industrial underworld. The nocturnal "The Conversation" is an improvement on "Into The Street" from Twilight, and is the last highlight until the soaring though bombastic title song****; though flawed this gem grew on me.
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