Among the bands loosely lumped together under the postrock flag, the song form is not a common item. The exception to the rule are Long Fin Killie, the Scottish band that sets itself apart by having vocals--and lyrics--on every tune. They"re not songs in the traditional sense, in that it"s hardly verse-chorus-verse, but songs nonetheless, politically aware and often potent. Musically, Long Fin Killie are an odd bunch, not quite as strange as Tortoise, but they still mess with your head. A piece might initially sound amateurish, but insistence changes the tone and transforms it into something remarkable. On Valentino they"ve moved beyond the confines they set themselves on their debut, even if they"re working with recognizable rock instruments. They"re still exploring and mapping this new territory, which stands outside chronology and influence (and occasionally outside musical time). This is step one of the journey. If you"re up to the challenge, you"ll find it exciting. --Chris Nickson