583. Soul Coughing - el oso

SC take a noble step forward with this album even if the results can be slightly off... the album starts off the excellent "Rolling", meanders to the radio friendly "Circles", the darker "St. Louise is Listening", the hypnotic "$300", and aimless "I miss the girl". What makes "El Oso" different isn't only the fact that it's darker in tone, but that all the jazz, free lightness and unexpected samples are gone in favor of more strident beats and loops... a fitting last album by a band trying to move their sound forward.

7.3 out of 10