Not your typical Mojave 3 album. Those hoping for more explorations of their Slowdive-ish shoegazer roots will likely be put off this melding of lively 70's sun-drenched folk-pop with the more upbeat world of power pop. All the stops have been released, and what's presented is a sharply produced record that engagingly exceeds the a-bit-too-earnest shine of similar efforts by bands like Phoenix (circa '06). Instead an organic warmth bleeds through the rapid-fire drumbreaks of the title track and "Breaking The Ice," both have an unforced energy that rivals the best of the current crop of Swedish 70's copycats. There are still a few songs that take their time like "Most Days," forging a link between the old and the new. But the rest gives the impression that you've unexpectedly discovered a mid-period Teenage Fanclub album that you never knew existed.

I was a Slowdive fan before Mojave 3. It took some time for me to enjoy every Mojave 3 record after the release of "Ask Me Tomorrow." It took me quite a few listenings until I really connected with the music.

This record is no exception.

Let it play for a while and you will hear this really is a good record. Thats why I always buy a new Mojave 3 album when it comes out. I know that eventually I will really like it.

*sidenote* Track 12 is of utmost quality. It think track 12 should appeal to many of the Slowdive and "Ask Me Tomorrow" fans. Drop the 15 bucks and buy this record.

They traded in their acuostic guitars for electric ones. That's not to say, howerver, that this is an electric album. On their past albms they would fill their songs with acoustic rhythm and punctuate them with well timed electric leads or wonderfully jaunty piano riffs. On this album they have (for the most part) replaced the acoustic rhythm with electric rhythm and somewhere along the way the songs got a little lost in the translation. Clean toned electric guitars against a backdrop of, you guessed, clean toned electric guitars, there's no room for the songs to breath, there's nowhere for them to go, there's no fight in them.

I am a die hard Mojave 3 fan, so for me to write such a critical review is a hard thing for me to do, but take this into account... it still got a 3.5 from me, now that's saying something.

I rarely write reviews, but I just have to say something about this fantastic album. I've been a Mojave 3 fan for about eight months now, having discovered Slowdive a few months before. I've become enamored with this band -- their music is so beautiful and soulful. I was a bit worried about this album, since I had read that it would be more fast-paced, less mellow than their past albums. But wow, after my first listen-through, it completely put me at ease, and I've been listening to it non-stop ever since.

Of course, it is a more up-tempo album than "Out of Tune", or "Excuses for Travellers". The first song, "Truck Driving Man" really gets things going, and you know you'll be in for an interesting ride. The album maintains a fairly even pace, with several more traditional Mojave 3 songs strewn throughout. It all flows very well. Neil's songwriting is as good as ever, and while Rachel doesn't headline any tracks, her backing vocals add that extra element that really makes Mojave 3 special.

IMO, the material on this album can easily stand toe-to-toe with anything the band has ever done. I haven't decided yet, but I think this just may be my favorite Mojave 3 album so far. It really feels like a natural progression of their music, and you're left with this desire to hear them play on and on. I really just can't believe how good it is -- so often, when bands try something new, they end up irritating their fans with the new direction, and putting out music that isn't really up to par with their previous material. Little wonder that the folks who transitioned from the psychadelic Slowdive to Mojave 3's rolling melodies could pull off this new endeavor so well, and deliver some of their best music ever.

At first I thought Neil H. was trying too hard and coming off insincere. Now after 2 week I am playing it constantly. Holy Moly. This is what music is meant to be. It makes you feel. You feel The Big Picture bathing your cells and then them nodding rhythmically knowingly, like only music can do.

Edit: I saw them in concert and it was a beautiful experience - Waves of beauty filling the space around me with bliss.