The swirling opener to this couple?s sophomore effort, ?Everything I Have? swarms and swoons like my beloved 80s faves, The Chameleons. Singing guitarist, Jess Congdon has a sexy, breathy vocal delivery that recalls the gloriously giddy, cotton-candy pop of The Softies, Go Sailor, Camera Obscura and The All Girl Summer Fun Band, as well as Congdon?s previous outfit, the wonderfully under appreciated, Vervein. She adds a welcome touch of warmth to husband, Eric Holland?s occasionally antiseptic, metallic electronics. The haunting, ?Drove Us Mad? is another early highlight, with Congdon?s crystalline guitar lines recalling the moody dementia of ?Disintegration?-era Robert Smith and The Cure.

Atmospheric electronics and soothing, wordless vocals open ?Right Kind of Love,? which picks up a sprightly 80s backbeat and ends up as a delicious blend of Book of Love and Saint Etienne. The glitchy, syncopated ?9:05? has an experimental, Laurie Anderson-ish sheen to recommend it, while Holland?s short, bubbling keyboard instrumental, ?Washington? is a nice, head cleaning sorbet for Congdon to return once again to her Chameleonesque, descending, crystal clear guitar lines on the melancholic pop, ?Not Broken.? Now I know a hit when I hear it, and I?m hearing the album?s obvious choice for debut single right here. If I have any complaints at all, it?s that I would have sequenced it earlier in the set to grab the listener?s attention up front. In these days of instant gratification, I?m afraid not too many folks will get down to the tenth track to fully explore and enjoy the treats awaiting them at the other end of the album.

Another fun collection of melodic, electro-pop from this always intriguing couple, this one is more song-oriented than their admittedly cinematic, but equally impressive debut. 8/10 -- Jeff Penczak (1 May, 2007)