Since "ancient melodies" there hasn't been a Built to Spill record that has impacted me so much. The song "Gonna Lose" is pure gold, one of the band's best songs to date.
After so many years of career the Pixies still sound fresh. All the elements that made the band become an icon of alternative rock are present on the record, especially the sound textures created by Santiago are particularly incredible. The distortions and the dreamlike atmosphere are still present but, at times, with an interesting pop veneer. Another good Pixies album that could be the soundtrack to a David Lynch movie.
This not just the best album of the year. It is probably the best album of the last decade!