Six years have passed since the release of Freakwater"s last album, End Time. Using their uniquely askew take on honky-tonk, bluegrass, and country-politan, Freakwater invariably make records easily distinguishable from one another while maintaining their signature sound. Label mates Califone join them on this release, creating a record both modern and timeless in its instrumentation and sentiment. The outcome is complex and subtly nuanced with remarkable balance and fluidity. Like the album cover"s tongue-in-cheek greeting card image of a burning bouquet, the music itself represents an exquisite blend of beauty, horror, and inexplicable optimism. Thrill Jockey. 2005.