Intoxicating and Alluring

This is possibly the perfect album, with it's blend of swirling guitars and sultry lyrics (most beautifully illustrated when Greg Dulli steps away from the mike for the guest shot).

The lyrics are painfully honest, exploring the true nature of human beings. Mostly this focuses on Greg Dulli and his alter ego, the consummate stereotype of a guy who is fueled only by his lust and rage, caring for no one and only knowing true fear when he begins to. The way he so frankly states his feelings, without feeling the need to use overt vulgarity, is somewhat refreshing. After all, if he has to act like this, at least he is truthful about it.

Surprisingly though, in between all of his references to his jerk persona, lies very heavy sensuality. The listener becomes painfully aware of how desperate he is to cover up his true feelings and emotions, how much he fears true love and intimacy and will go to almost any lengths to avoid it.

The music is the true masterpiece here, though. I am generally a person who prefers music where the lyrics are the most poignant, but I was captivated by this albums superior usage of music to convey emotion and frailty. At times it almost seems like Dulli is screaming back at the music that it has got him pegged wrong, that he is truly the jerk he claims to be, but the music begs to differ.

If you are looking for a superior mix of fast paced, engaging music which is balanced out by intoxicating, languid semi-ballads, then you've found what you are looking for in this beautiful album.