First off, thanks to Sirius station the Spectrum for having "The Great Defector" in heavy rotation over the last several weeks - would never have heard of these guys but for the Spectrum. This album is good and ...different which is the greater compliment in this age of overwrought power ballad vocals a la The Fray and weed mellow acoustic dribble by the likes of Jack Johnson masquerading as alternative rock. The influence of the Talking Heads is evident, as well as The Arcade Fire, but it would be unfair to say this album is entirely derivative. The elegant and sweet slower numbers like "Blow Ins" and great storytelling of a song like "Amelia" owe nothing to TH or AF. I love the punchy extended jams that round out songs like "The Way Your Heart is Wired" and "A Better Band". Weird to read that Damien Rice was a member of this band in a previous incarnation (the band, not Rice). I think they dodged a bullet there; Rice is way too earnest (and just damn annoying, IMHO). He would have robbed the Bells of their wonderful sense of humor displayed in their quirky lyrics. The album is just really enjoyable, give it a listen.