Liars

Far more accessible than anything the act have produced in recent years, Liars shifts perceptions in the way most have come to expect, but with the dense conceptual themes and boundaries limited it is as if they have met most listeners halfway only to lure them back into their own sordid comfort zone, littered with the contents of a fifteen-year-old's bedroom.

It's hard to say if this is a step forward, a retrenchment, or simply a holding pattern, and it hardly matters. Liars is yet another thrilling work from one of the few "rock" bands still striving to make art - with truth, beauty...all that shit.

In a lesser band's hands, this kaleidoscopic approach could be a muddled mess, but it makes for Liars' most entertaining album yet.

If it doesn't quite confound like They Were Wrong or thrill like Drum's Not Dead, Liars still finds the band ignoring whatever you thought you wanted or needed from them, and doing what they damn well please.

For Liars, forgoing heady concepts and willful obtuseness—embracing rock music instead of deconstructing it—may actually be the boldest move yet.

Each track bears the sound of a confident, secure band of artists who now know they are ready for prime-time, and can weather the onslaught of attention without compromise.

You could accuse Liars of abandoning all of their high-art concepts and otherworldly thoughts so they could secure their place on a tour of America's enormodomes with Interpol. Well, you could if this album wasn't so perfect.

Liars might not be as singular as the band’s past albums, but even a relatively normal outing from these guys is still a puzzle that takes time to solve. Rest assured, it’s time well spent.

Liars is only marginally easier to get into then Drums Not Dead--but something has to be said for an album being enjoyable, and on that scale, Liars is another monumental leap forward.

The group's self-titled fourth album may be the maverick trio's most straightforward yet.

'Leather Prowler' is as dank and industrial as you'd hope--but the emphasis is now on songwriting.

The stylistic buffet has enough strength to survive a handful of duds.

'Houseclouds' is dance pop of hit-worthy catchiness and the taut, pounding 'Freak Out' puts to shame most contemporary psych outfits.