4th LP from this post-punk group out of Detroit. “Though not a concept album, it presents twelve variations on a theme: the unknowable nature of truth, and the existential dread that often accompanies that unknowing.” Dense, uneasy, driving compositions. Highly recommended!

Related: iceage, Preoccupations, Merchandise
Favorites: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, 12

1. (5:18) ** A Private Understanding—Tense lush guitars, deep snarling almost spoken vox
2. (2:50) * Here is a Thing—Shining guitars, whimsical bass, really interesting groove
3. (3:42) *** My Children—Slowly building intro, gets faster then transforms into an amazing post-punk anthem
4. (1:44) Caitroina—Noisy distorted guitars and fuzz vox for a minute, then more minimal clear guitars and vox
5. (3:43) * The Chuckler—Chiming guitars alternate with somber vox and noisy guitars, some strings, overall moody atmosphere
6. (4:40) ** Windsor Hum—Dark restrained eerie riffs, eventually builds into wall of sound
7. (3:12) Don’t Go to Anacita—Obnoxious in your face punk
8. (3:38) Up the Tower—Monotonous drums, goes nowhere
9. (3:25) Night Blooming Cereus—Slow cavernous synth and vox, glacial atmospheric feeling, excellent drumming kicks in halfway
10. (3:22) Male Plague—Intense throbbing wall of guitars, dual vox
11. (2:43) ** Corpses in Regalia—Churning slowly ascending, some choral vox, bass really drives this one
12. (5:04) * Half Sister—Dense, complex, with moments of light, sustained outro