SPIN

7

• SPIN Rating:7 of 10

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    Spotify

Label: Nul/Dovecote

In the post-punk revival sweepstakes, this U.K. quartet has chugged along since their 2004 debut full-length, gradually expanding their update on early XTC's kooky dynamics. Their fourth album frets over dreams and queues, yet flashes Queen-like operatic vocals and Springsteen arena flourishes. Glimmers of hope eventually appear-the tense determination of "I Can Do That" ("I am not a joke!") and the raging drama of "Jupiter" ("Believe there's good out there"). Cheer up, lads, you've outpaced the Rapture and outlasted the Rakes.

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