If only. Sun aims for the sort of focused melancholy that marked 1992's Automatic for the People, an album that earned its pretentiousness but with a topical twist. In the end, though, the disc is little more than a sonically monochromatic drag. The tempos of these 13 songs range from sleepy to turgid--even "High Speed Train" moves like molasses--and while "Wanderlust" sports the sort of highbrow pop sensibility that made Reveal, the combo's 2001 effort, intermittently listenable, most of the other arrangements are ornate but empty. Typical is "The Outsiders," which makes guest star Q-Tip seem uncool simply for participating.
Wanna vote for change? Then vote for a better CD.