[troutman]

http://www.allmusic.com/album/singles-mw0002620997

Every song sounds like a past, present, and future hit single, with ringing hooks, grooves that won't leave your hips alone, and the kind of cutting emotional depth that will leave blood pooling around your feet as it slashes you again and again. Pick any song, like the achingly pretty "Seasons (Waiting on You)" or the understated "Light House" or the after-hours Roxy Music-inspired "Like the Moon," and it'll be the kind of song that will stop people in their tracks in a crowded bar, the kind that you play over and over when you run across it streaming on a website, the kind that you tell all your friends about. A whole album of songs like that feels like a dream come true. It's real, though, and the vocals, the songs, the music, and the production work together to make Singles a one-of-a-kind experience that's nearly perfect.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/teeth-dreams-mw0002615479

With two guitarists in play, the album has an all-around warmer sound, as there is hardly a moment that isn't expertly filled in by these two expert axe-men. While Kubler is far from a slouch on his own, the differences in playing style between him and Selvidge lend the songs here a lot more depth. This means the band can open things rather than always going for the throat with a searing riff, making Teeth Dreams an album that rocks while still feeling laid-back. This new direction is one that suits the band well, and although it may seem like they've put their bar rock days in their rear view mirror, it's seems pretty clear that the band is heading toward a big, arena rock future.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/mess-mw0002608951

Given that Mess originated from Liars messing around in the studio, it's a more spontaneous, accessible set of songs than they've delivered in some time. Even if it's not quite as striking an achievement as WIXIW, it's a lot of fun and shows, once again, that Liars are unquestionably themselves no matter how much they push their boundaries.