"It started with a single drawing in his notebook. An ominous, triangular mountain made of geometric shapes, vaguely resembling a skull. He started drawing lots of them, carelessly and quick. A bleak and desolate place, cold and sharp as anything. In early 2012, it was decided that this would be the setting for the new album. Much like the drawings, with it's maniacal grin: the music is detailed, though off kilter, morose, but enthusiastic, everything all at once. This new record is another step in his ongoing pursuit of classic pop filtered through a modern lens, deliberately more focused in it's aesthetic than any of his past releases. Elements of power pop, jazz, chamber music and garage rock are fused by infectious melodies and ornate vocal harmonies. Add that to ample brass and string arrangements atop an aggressive rhythm section with most of the 17 songs flowing seamlessly into one another, and you have an album that demands to be played on repeat."  7/18/12