★★★★
Island
The long-awaited sophomore release from a band that seemed to burst into the American music consciousness from nowhere just two years ago, it can easily be said that fans of this British quartet have been anticipating new material ever since they greedily gobbled up their debut, Sigh No More. For some, this record will take some warming up to, especially considering the complete mastery found on every track of their first release. But given the time, this second record will earn its place beside its older brother. Tracks like "I Will Wait" are rousing, powerful and addictive. "Lover of the Light" is equally as strong, but will you find a track as angrily invigorating as "Little Lion Man" here? No, sadly not. Though their musicianship is still top-notch and the lyrics found here are as touching and beautiful as ever, the boys seem to have lost just a touch of that enslaving catchiness they infused in their first record. Given a few extra listens, however, you'll find you adore this amalgam of their labors almost as much as the first.
Worth a Listen: "I Will Wait" and "Lover of the Light"
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