There are shades of Soul Coughing, especially with the horns in "Busting Up a Starbucks" and the intro of "I Hear the Bells" which reminds me of "Lazybones" from the Irresistible Bliss album. Also, Mike Doughty still brings the stream-of-consciousness lyrics that were a trademark of Soul Coughing.

For the most part, these are straightforward, largely acoustic, and incredibly catchy songs. The album kicks off with "Looking at the World from the Bottom of a Well." This is a playback song. I listened to this one several times in a row because it's so catchy. It's one of those songs that you might want to sing throughout the day. "Sunken-Eyed Girl" is another very catchy song that could easily get lodged in your brain.

Every song on this album is solid, but a couple deserve special mention. "Busting Up a Starbucks" scored big points with me because, I am almost loathe to admit, I was actually a part of that evil empire at one point in my life. I think I am not the only one who imagined a Starbucks being busted up. Not that I advocate it, mind you.

"Tremendous Brunettes" is a pretty good song featuring Dave Matthews. Somehow, I like Dave Matthews a lot better when he's apart from his band. Finally, I have to say something about "American Car." This song includes some of the sly wit at which Mike Doughty is particularly adept. There are two lines in "American Car that I find brilliant. He sings "I'm done with elephants and clowns. I want to run away to join the office." Who else is going to give you lyrics like that?