Challengers

The fourth album is airier, more spacious and more relaxed than it's jackhammer predecessors. In general, Carl Newman's songwriting is slightly more scrutable in this time around; his lyrics still ring with wry perception and political metaphor, but they betray some of the magnanimity that comes with new love. The sophisticated, rich production values and complex range of songwriting allow US to extend the group's audience to new groups: AAA radio listeners, fans of Neko Case's solo work and coffee drinkers in general.