As far as major-label debuts by underground bands go, is fairly uncompromising. While it displays a more powerful guitar sound on and it also takes more detours than , whether it's the bizarrely affecting of the or the introspection of the lovely But instead of presenting a portrait of a band with a rich, eclectic vision, is incoherent. While its best moments are flat-out great, the band has bitten off more than it can chew; many of the songs sound like failed experiments, and its arena-ready production now sounds slightly dated. Nevertheless, half of the record is brilliant, and it certainly indicates that are continuing to diversify their sound. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine