Not long after the release of , imploded due to friction between vocalist and guitarist . It looked like the band had ended before reaching its full potential, which is part of the reason why their third album, -- recorded after the pair patched things up in late 1996 -- is so remarkable. Much of the record consists of songs had intended for a solo project or a new group, yet unmistakably sounds like the work of a full band, with its sweeping, grandiose soundscapes and sense of purpose. have toned down their trancy, psychedelic excursions, yet haven't abandoned them -- if anything, they sound more muscular than before, whether it's the trippy or the pounding These powerful, guitar-drenched rockers provide the context for 's affecting, string-laden , which give its hurt. The majestic and the heartbreaking, -tinged are an astonishing pair, two anthemic that make the personal universal, thereby sounding like instant classics. They just are the tip of the iceberg -- is a lovely, surprisingly understated has a measured, electric power, and many others match their quality. Although it may run a bit too long for some tastes, is a rich album that revitalizes traditions without ever seeming less than contemporary. It is the album have been striving to make since their formation, and it turns out to be worth all the wait. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine