Not too many people outside of Canada and Scandinavia seemed to notice, but Toronto-based trio were responsible for some of the most electrifying, ass-kicking, fearsomely focused hard rock of the third millennium's first decade. That being said, after failing to attract a larger audience with two unquestionably stellar albums released through , the band found itself relegated to smaller indie label for 2008's , meaning that not even U.S. distribution was a given. Notwithstanding this problematic setback, though, showed they still held an ace or two in their hands by securing the services of hotshot producer ( , , etc.) to oversee 's sessions, and their new ally seemed to be fan enough to not attempt altering the band's sound, even while helping the group to cast a slightly wider stylistic net beyond its usual and -fishing grounds. Among the resulting surprises was the acoustic guitar-driven nostalgia of and a pair of stoner rock-flavored offerings in the -like, groove-oriented opener and the extended six-minute head nod of 's longest track ever, by far), which culminated with guest vocals from legend . Beyond this experimental trio, though, remained relatively faithful to the familiar sound -- albeit rarely played quite as loud as on prior releases, ironically enough. Sure, the punkish pogo-fest of and the raging hormones of teenage fantasy both recalled some of the band's wilder, earliest outbursts, and impertinent challenges like confirmed the enduring chip on eponymous frontman ' shoulder. But the mellower, melody-ridden definitely valued quality over quantity, and both the album's worst and best offerings paid serious dues to the band's chief influences, the closing title track collapsing under the weight of dull repetition (akin to 's least inspired latter-day songs) while first single reached for the heavens of perfection with that glorious blend of crunchy riffs and longing melodies (the very same ones that earned 's his angel's wings). And so, somewhere between the same ol' and brand new, the disappointing and sublime, proved to be yet another enjoyable LP from , despite ranking just a notch below their most recent triumphs. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia