Seven years is a long time between records, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that is a significant step forward from , but the sparse strings and circular arrangements of nevertheless come as a shock, especially since its slow build-up feels as ominous and intellectual as 20th century music. It provides the keynote for the album, setting the stage for an ambitious, unpredictable, and strangely beautiful record. Although there are similarities with the pastoral or parts of , there is really no comparable record in 's canon, given its sustained mood, experimentalism, and glimpses of confession. wrote the brightest tunes on the record, and while the bouncy and will be endearing to any longtime fan, they don't fit the tone of , which feels like an solo album -- not just a confessional, but a grand outpouring of ideas. insisted that be released in two parts -- guitarist left partially because he believed the album would be stronger if it was consolidated to one record -- presumably because all his songs on are of a piece, sharing similar lyrical and musical themes. Split between , is alternately lush and melancholy, sometimes within one song. Some of 's darkest work is here, such as the vindictive yet the album overall has a hopeful note -- the perfect aural encapsulation of their long, bitter struggle of the '90s. The strike was frustrating for the band and fans alike, but perhaps the extended layoff paid off in sharpening 's focus, since easily ranks as one of 's greatest works. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine