Given that sounded so fun and revitalized on their 2006 covers album , it was easy to hope that they would try to channel that same kinetic energy into their next set of original material, 2008's . And try they do on this tight set of 11 songs, pushing rhythms to the forefront in an attempt to kick up excitement, dipping into a stomp on hitting harder than they have in years on the pummeling and revving up the guitars on so they mimic which is not the only time they allude to previous peaks, as shimmers with harmonies straight out of and a duet with country superstar (the partnership isn't all that odd, considering 's former producer went country in the '90s with his wife, ), rides a riff that is a kissing cousin to All this effort is appreciated, especially when is compared to the dull leaden grind of , but the album is hampered a bit by having an immediate sound and elusive hooks; it's as if have created an exquisitely tailored suit but it's oversized, so the clothes hang funny on the model. It's not that is devoid of hooks -- are built around big hooks in the guitars and melodies -- but they don't hit as hard as the overall sound, which makes for a curious listen as the sound grabs hold but the songs don't quite follow through as, at their best, they're growers. They're also a bit of a mixed bag, with the power ballads never managing to take hold, but overall the album is song-for-song stronger than , and it's helped out enormously by that tight, unified production that glosses over any deficiencies in the writing. And so it's a partially successful successor to , following through on some of the overall feel and punch but lacking enough songs to truly bring it across the goal line. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine