Guerilla Toss has wandered into slightly more conventional territory. Don't worry; the quirks are still on full display. It's much like moving from Captain Beefheart to 70s Zappa. In other words, the pieces on here sound like songs. Sometimes.

Guerrilla Toss Twisted Crystal (DFA)

So instead of something like a deconstructed Devo (reviews of the band's earlier albums describe their sound as "dance-punk", which doesn't really begin to capture the anarchy within), this is more like elektro pop-era Mekons meet Sonic Youth. At 120 BPM. Guerilla Toss doesn't play.

The music is solid, wildly arranged and with instrumentation that can only be imagined. The vocals aren't afterthoughts, but they work better when they are simply part of the musical palette. It's not that the lyrics are useless--they're simply largely irrelevant.

Anyone who can process proggy pop ideas into an electronic throb has my ear. Guerilla Toss is taking as many chances as before. They pay off more on this one. Not for their faint of ears, but rewarding for those who take the chance. Alluring in the most demented way possible.

Jon Worley