With taking a break to work on the second album, and made up for the first full-length follow-up to . Rather than trying for a full-band approach, instead created a much more simply beautiful effort, with a relaxed air to it. Rhythms are subtler, with bass and drum machine often totally eschewed in favor of 's delicate guitar filigrees and lush, produced textures. is, as always, in wonderfully fine voice; her words are quite indecipherable, but the feelings are no less strong for it. starts things perfectly, as deep, heavily-treated guitar strums combine with a heavy flange and guest saxophone from member . Other songs sparkle with a lovely vivaciousness. Far from being stereotypical arty music to sit around and be gloomy to, two pieces especially shine with a gentle energy: with its many-layered ringing strings and 's overdubbed vocals; and the joyful with a soft rhythm underlying more sheer electric loveliness. adds heavy reverb and overdubbed lines to create ' wash on such songs as the latter again featuring , this time on tablas. For all the sweet beauty of , things end on a quietly dramatic note, but a dramatic one nonetheless. starts with treated piano and rather spooky guitar leads -- the mysterious soloing is especially wonderful -- while then sings with a slightly haunted feeling, concluding with slightly nervous wails. It's an unexpected but effective touch for this fine record. ~ Ned Raggett