Review:

on 2013-01-09 nlathy Said:

The band's fifth album is solid dance music. It doesn't reach out and make me want to listen to cuts over and over. It must be a hit on the dance floor, and it does have its moments of purely listening pleasure, as well.
There are songs, which I do find myself liking and wanting to revisit all the same. On second listen some of these songs sound a lot better. "Don't Deny Your Heart" would fall into this category. At first it just seems like a collection of cliches, but the hooks do settle in, and it becomes a winner.
The band's optimistic outlook is brave and encouraging. There is a moving love song, "These Chains."
They resemble a distance runner catching stride as they go on with the 7:41 "Let Me Be Him," gaining interest as the song unfolds.
The electronic emphasis doesn't leave them sounding robotic. Alexis Taylor's singing is strong throughout. "Look at Where We Are" shows Taylor's passion ?ombined with musical precision blended to perfection. The "ohs" work well, also.
"Always Been Your Love" is the top track. It conjures up the romance of a good old fashioned love song. And it's got a good beat. Taylor brings beauty and sincerity to the song, giving the song an urgency without being overly sentimental. The backing vocals add another listening dimension and the guitar work is particularly strong here punctuated by spoken words of love.
The hooks and melody on "Now There is Nothing," makes this one excel, as well. There's a good variety of tempos throughout the song.
Variety and catchiness along with danceability make it clear the band remains a major factor in the pop world.
Rating: 8/10