An instant classic that fires on all cylinders: 12 mini-epic songs that cover a bewildering amount of musical ground, infused with a pop canniness that is probably the closest Bob has yet come to songs you might actually hear on mainstream radio on a planet similar to this one. The sound is excellent: crisp, wide and contained, with great separation and deep stereo. The drums are unusually featured and often engaged in eye-popping rhythmic pirouettes. The arrangements are complex but seamless and there are extended instrumental interludes with, echoes and references to some of rock/pop history's best tropes and innovations throughout. It's a record that invites repeated listening - and you can tap your foot to big chunks of it. This is what musicianship and recording studios were made for. Truly great.

For September release. Subscription edition: Signed and numbered with an extra item.