surrealmod

While the music is tightly played, and each song expertly flows from the previous song into the next, this type of music is (as others have commented) rather common. Thus, in order for me to take an interest, I need to hear some stellar lyrics that really draw me in. I listened to the whole album, and as for myself, the lyrics seemed the same derivative pop songs as always. Now, there is nothing wrong with pop songs or their lyrics, but the best songs usually subvert the tropes in some way, even slightly. This album did not do that, and so, despite excellent musical craftsmanship, it did not feel like an album I would rate amongst the highest I have ever heard.

The last tracks "bonus track" is short, and I felt gipped waiting for such a small piece through all the silence. Unless, a shortened version of Cage's 4:33 was intended, in which case the point is missed.

However, I did greatly enjoy the performance, especially on Starlight (where the carry over from the last track caught my attention and brought me into the song for a moment) and Intransigent5 (the noise of which also transported me into the song, and made me pay attention).

First, let me say that the little Spanish I remember is mixed in my mind with French. Combine that with Japanese and Old English, and you'll see I don't know how to speak, writer, read, or hear any other language, as I know bits and pieces of too many. (Plus, when I did spend some time in Spain as a child, I really lived in Catalunya).
But I can talk about the music, I think. Maybe not as eloquently as some, but I do know what draws me into a piece, be it Concierto de Aranjuez or Quadrophenia.
So let me start by coming at it from the instrument I know: the drums are tight. Each beat is carefully placed and I am in no doubt that the drummer is completely competent. Also, each variation from the basic beat comes for a reason, to punctuate the other instruments. My personal style is different, borrowing more from the Drums as Lead idea of Keith Moon, John Bonham, etc. However, I understand the necessity for disparate styles. And this tight, percussive style, that runs through the whole album gives it a true pop feel (and it reminds me of some of the simpler Jam songs-- which is good).
The rest of the album, then, I can only judge subjectively. I really like the vocals, even if I can not make out what they are saying. The song 'ro', for example, has one point where the singer varies from a motorboat declaration of vowels to introspection to a scream that leads to an interesting solo that truly moves the song forward. I can find no real fault with anything here, as other reviewers have said. Personally, however, I am more of a fan of sweeping Wagnerian bass lines like John Entwistle and Phil Lesh manage to pull off. Maybe my overexposure to The Who leads to my love of swelling and overpowering bass. But everything in it's season, and the reason that this is not employed here is clear: the songs are tightly nit and expertly played.
And I only know just got the name of the band in connection with the name of the album. I have to say that this is very clever.
One thing I have never quite figured out is how to place songs together in an album configuration (which is my preferred listening style, over those nitwits that get an ipod shuffle or skip from disk to disk willy nilly) that flows together. However, listening to this, and the way each song flows out of the last and into the next, make good study for how to put the puzzle pieces of tracks together.
I will be downloading this and listening to it more than once, in other words.
And while other people may not think that so important, to me it is the mark of a great album: I will listen to it again.