Make Believe

The short departure and return of singer Tim Kinsella to Make Believe's lineup seems to have helped the Chicago band settle down -- if only just a bit -- on their third LP. Even with slightly less volume, the group's approach is wholly innovative, weaving ornate rhythmic riffs that are too intricate for post-punk and too earnest for math rock. The noodling of "Sam Rollerskating Backwards" and skeletal restraint of "For Lauri Bird" make a great pair in the record's top half, and the spoken rant of the title track shows off Kinsella's brilliance as a writer.