Joan of Arc, The Gap (side A)

2000's The Gap is a confusing Joan of Arc record. It marks the end of their constant touring era, by which point the line-up had evolved into a very powerful live band. While all band members do contribute, The Gap gives no hints to the band's live energy and coheison, and instead presents a somewhat sprawling and disparate mess. It's surprising, then, how well it works. The songwriting is strong, and the evolution between the songs and textural pieces is natural and organic. The mastering is both too scooped and too bright, but that's a small complaint, and Paul Koob's cover images of the band as silhouettes cropping an abstract photo are engaging and memorable.