Having gotten out of his system with , returned to music with -- and it was in the classic, sense. chose to hire , who engineered all of ' most ambitious records, to produce , which indicates what it sounds like -- it's with a post- production. Essentially, the songs on are an extension of 's and infatuations on . 's music is complex and intricate, yet it flows so smoothly, it's easy to miss the bitter, brutal lyrics. The interweaving layers of and the whirlwind intro are the most overtly dark sounds on the record, with most of the album given over to the orchestrated, melancholy singles. Never once do deliver a song -- the album is all about sonic detail, from the accordion on to the lilting strings on Of course, the detail and the ornate arrangements immediately peg as 's most ambitious album, but that doesn't mean it's his absolute masterpiece. remains one of 's essential records because it is the culmination of his ambitions and desires -- it's where he proves that he can play with the big boys, both as a songwriter and a record-maker. It may not have been a commercial blockbuster, but it certainly earned the respect of legions of musicians and critics who would have previously disdained such a punk rocker. And, perhaps, that's also the reason that he abandoned this immaculately crafted style of work on his next album, . ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine