The tragedy of the 's third album, , is that it was largely ignored by both critics and fans due to the mixing and mastering disaster that marred its predecessor, -- an album that was full of great songs and performances but was so marred by poor sound that it sounded lifeless. Both records were issued by 's label. was produced by who was just coming off project and was about to enter the studio with both and . Its lineup features the return of original guitarist , as well as drummer and new bassist (aka ) from L.A. outfit . Late frontman /guitarist was writing feverish songs that took their inspiration from Southern and West Texas music all framed by an angular, jagged energy. The screaming rawness at the heart of the band's debut, , had been replaced by a dry, moaning lonesome, percussion heavy desert sound, space and echo float through the mix like a ghost through 's slide guitar playing. Bass drum and tom-toms fuel the attack with a basic, primitive nocturnal energy. Topics ranged from personal disintegration in and the -drenched and the shambolic, two-step confusion of that quotes directly from to the disappearance of the nation in 's edgy guitar wrangle. There are a couple of covers on the set tossed right in the center of the album: a spooky, brooding, read of ' and ' and a slovenly, funereal version of by from Porgy and Bess. is a provocative record that reveals was pulled in many directions at once, and though the tension is in evidence on every track, it nonetheless holds together. After , is their most satisfying album and is, perhaps, the band's most visionary offering. ~ Thom Jurek