Long-time loyalists of this once important alt-rock band from Ohio (b. 1983) enjoyed their exciting outsider pre-grunge rock then endured indifferent albums, line-up changes around core characters Robert Pollard and Tobin Sprout, the inevitable break-up and farewell tour a decade ago, and the equally inevitable reunion.
So, even for fans, they've tested patience.
And this album certainly does because it often goes no further than previous highs, mostly hits some former mid-level moments and for the rest you've either been here before or - should they be new to you - this isn't worth bothering about.
Too frequently it's just more slightly marginal, indifferently familiar or undernourished alt-rock.
But - there's always a "but" with GBV - occasionally they deliver.
