Talk about a band spreading its wings and fly beyond its natural territory. Without completely abandoning the Americana countryrock-mantle being thrown over them by press and fans alike (closing track Dondante could fit easily on Neil Young's latest album Prairie Wind), Jim James and his men venture into different musical territories- from the breezy poppy singalong Off The Record, the ambitious pop of Wordless Chorus to the reverential Gideon, blessed with a guitar arpeggio Johnny Greenwood wouldn't have mind to have written. This is by far the most diverse album the band has recorded and yet won't alienate long time fans. I really dig Jim James' vocals which are safe in the higher regions and give the music extra cachet rather than detract from it. Z it may be called but it is far from being sleepy music.
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