hadn't recorded a studio album with in 16 years when was released in April 2003. His partner, , had been missing in action from the group since 1990, and while both joined the reunited group in 1997 for a tour and live album ( ), not to mention 's 1993 inauguration, it had been a long, long time since the two made new music for . They were lured back into the fold for...well, the specifics -- whether money, prestige, status, publicity, or creativity -- don't really matter, since the end result is the same, it's that and have come home. This doesn't qualify as a full-fledged reunion, since isn't here, choosing to opt out of this high-profile return to the breach (although her playing is occasionally heard on the album). This results in a record that never quite sounds like . are so grateful to have the two superstars back in the group that they cede ground to , who never collaborate as much as share space. Each is given nine songs apiece, a move which, in itself, would not necessarily be a problem, but over the course of this lengthy, lengthy album, the evenhandedness starts to give the impression that this is two solo albums presented as a group effort. An assessment that's a little harsh, since the group can still conjure echoes of their classic sound, but the division of work is so deliberate and their work so dissimilar, it can't help but feel like two separate pieces pushed together to make the whole. Which is where becomes a critical factor. While never a star like , nor possessing the mad genius of , was a strong, likeable songwriter whose gently melodic works balanced the extremities of her bandmates while also forcing them to choose the best material to fit the record. Add to this that have decided to run wild with the length of a CD, producing a record that is significantly longer than the messy, chaotic , but without its inspired insanity or depth of sound and character. Here, even if most songs are in the four-minute ballpark, they all feel longer, partially because the album clocks in at nearly 80 minutes and the sequencing flows as it was designed by committee. So, winds up occupying a strange middle ground, often feeling as if it was ' albums bouncing around on shuffle play, but also occasionally flashing moments that are purely, satisfyingly . Although there are occasional misguided attempts to modernize the songs -- most notably drum loops on some of ' songs -- none of the songs sound as if the band were forcing themselves to sound contemporary. Sure, it sounds commercial, but that's the band's idiom -- what's important is that it never sounds compromised, it sounds as if the band is at once trying too hard while being unwilling to sacrifice individual moments for the greater good. So, straddles many lines at once. ' material is better-realized than many of her recent albums, but 's always sounds as if it should be wilder than it is (it should all sound as unrestrained as his guitar, which is continually surprising throughout the record). It never sounds like classic , nor does it sound modern. It often sounds like solo albums, but without the freedom that allows. Most of these problems derive merely from the length. Cut out half of the record -- have it weigh in at nine or ten songs and run no longer than 45 minutes -- and it would have been a good, solid comeback, perhaps even eclipsing the uneven . But there are too many songs, simply too much to make work, even if there is enough to admire to make you wish it did. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine