As much as I loved previous releases from the Trees, I have a hard time with bands that don't change. This is, what, they're sixth or seventh album? The Screaming Trees have yet to wander off the path they beat on their last two records, Uncle Anesthesia and Sweet Oblivion. Sure, they added a few Eastern instruments into the mix, but this music is still the same old pseudo-psychedelic, 4/4 guitar dominated rock they've been making for several years now. That said, if anyone can get away with imitating the Screaming Trees' formula, it's the Screaming Trees. 'All I Know' and 'Dying Days' are vintage Trees with all the hooks and sing along portions you've come to expect from these guys. Mark Lanegan is still milking the Morrison baritone thing for all it's worth, with the exception of letting the listener in on the poetry of the words he's singing by providing a lyric sheet. I hate that. Give us your damned lyrics. Maybe after Lanegan's dead, all his girlfriends and widows will publish the words, out of their musical context, in some annoying NYT bestselling book of poems. Until then, all the listener gets is a cd booklet with silly band pictures and the standard liner notes.

Summary: If you must have this disc in your collection, pick up a used copy somewhere... paying less for this album may actually help you enjoy the music better.

–Mattro