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Six albums on, these Scots aim to reverse the creeping bloat in their elegant pop, though bad habits die hard. Despite refreshingly brief songs, frontman Fran Healy can't resist self-conscious vocal flourishes that insist he's imparting great truths (shades of Bono), and the bombastic arrangements encourage Andy Dunlop to uncork cheesy, stadium-seeking guitar riffs. In the middle of the album, however, are some terrific, down-to-earth tracks, including the thumping "Get Up," where Healy declares simply, "I need a little love and a hand to hold." More such directness and humility, please.

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