Released April 28 2008

Now my knowledge about Mindless Self Indulgence isn't as vast as it is on other artists but I feel that it is slowly creeping up there. Basically if you haven't heard MSI before then let me attempt to explain or at least give you my opinion on their sound. If you take a sample from a dance track, loop it, add in drums, guitar and bass and some vocals ranging from sometimes bass through alto you have a teeny idea (considering I fail at descriptions I'll shove in a video right now).

'If', the latest offering from the band and their 5th studio album doesn't fail to be well pretty darn catchy. They made a great choice with the numbering of the tracks, starting with latest single 'Never Wanted To Dance'. The album in its whole shows that they know what works and how to do it to make it work, even if at some point you listen and thing that a part shouldn't really work - it does. With guest appearances from Chantal Claret of Morningwood and additional vocals supplied by Kitty and Lyn-Z, 'If' might just be one of, if not the best release so far.

'Never Wanted To Dance' is the album opener, and a very good choice to kick the record off. Starting off with guitars before vocals and a stomping beat kicks in leading to a faster paced chorus which I guarantee will be stuck in your head after the first listen, back to a feet stomping beat. The song will have you nodding your head or stamping your feet or perhaps both.

'Evening Wear' is up next. Again another catchy song, hand-clapping goodness for sure. The chorus introduces us to Chantal Claret on backing vocals, who's voice lends itself well against Jimmy's. Again you will want to sing along - Ba ba ba da ba.

'Lights Out' is quite fast paced in terms of the previous songs, and if you like The Network then this song is definitely one for you - it is reminiscent of one of the network songs, but although there are similarities this song itself is different. The hand-clapping part is a nice touch as you near the end of the track.

'Prescription' is definitely what I would say was an 80's influenced track, think dead or alive 'You Spin Me Round'. It has to be said though lyrically the song is very clever, you can take away whatever you want to from this one by way of what it is about, and I think that this one vocally is one of my favourite performances.

'Issues' amuses me, mostly for the way the last word of each sentence is sung, as well as the bell and kissing sound. Definitely amuses me. Add that to the "Excuse me do you want to screw?" half way through the song it is a fun song. And we get to hear backing vocals from Kitty.

'Get It Up' is funky. Guest vocalist Chantal Claret once again compliments Jimmy's vocals well. I want to say something other than fun, great, cool, etc. but I can't so this one is short.

'Revenge' brings back the older MSI, this song could have been put on 'You'll Rebel' or 'Frankenstein Girls' and wouldn't seem out of place at all. Vocal acrobatics throughout, a slowed down verse, a fast paced chorus. Great.

'Animal' quite a bit more rockier than some of the tracks, you can probably see some slight similarities between this and an Eminem track in some parts. Backing vocals by Lyn-Z and Kitty, which aren't that prominent but are there. I do like this one a lot, mostly because in the car its great for bopping your head too when driving.

'Mastermind'. Genius. Put another catchy as a cold song just over halfway through, keep people listening and waiting for it. I do like this one as well, mostly for the whispering and screaming and the bridge. "What's that rukz what's that rukz what's that rukz coming through the night..." and possibly the line that will make you smile a bit because its absurd and quite fun and clever "What's that rukz what's that rukz what's that rukz coming through the night, that's right that's right that's right that's right this shit gonna turn yo momma white..." I'm amused easily right?

'On It' again sounding like it could go on another record, its fast paced and again catchy, very electronic, similar in style to 1989/prom - but definitely faster paced and newer sounding - if that makes sense.

''Pay For It' at some points in listening I can't help but think of Manson circa Mechanical Animals, and this is one of those points. This song does remind you of Manson but just in case you were in doubt you get that reminder that it is MSI - obviously you can tell it's MSI but vocally and stylistically you do get a sense of the Mechanical Animals record, think 'I Wanna Disappear' or 'New Model'. But even with that similarity it still sounds individual.

'Due' I think is the slower offering on the record, even with its smaller inputs of frantic music in parts, this is the more mellow song on the record, if you can think of MSI as being mellow. Either way this song is slower paced and rather pleasing to listen to, slightly slower than 'Prescription' it is a nice difference from the rest of the record.

'Money' is funky. You will possibly love this track from the introduction. It's slightly dare I say "indie" before jumping into what we would expect to hear from the band. This one would definitely be, I believe a popular live track, as there is definite scope for audience interaction and scope to have some fun with it.

'Bomb This Track'. Dance/Rap for sure. If you got your hip hop stars to speed their songs out they wouldn't be able to compare to the funk this song brings, that and I doubt hip hoppers could bring a bit of screamyness to their vocals. Definitely a dancey one.

'Mark David Chapman' There seems to be a reoccurring piano/tinkly/music box tune on some of the songs, which I think works well in bringing and moving on each track, it is back in the beginning of this one. As confusing as the booklet is I believe that it is this one that has Celia Euringer (Jimmy's mum) speaking (or scolding him) in Spanish, even though in the booklet it does say it is on track 16 (misprint perhaps?) anyway. It is a very mice ending song, its quite theatrical, scrap that its very theatrical, the Spanish works well, the smaller seemingly monologue parts of the song work well, and it is very enjoyable.

Also on this version of the album there are some extra tracks - copious amounts (okay 4) of 'Never Wanted To Dance' remixes and 2 bonus tracks - 'Uncle' (which was re-recorded for better quality), and 3S.

If you want a catchy album then this one is definitely one to own, it has a bit of everything for well everyone, generally there are a few duds on a record and to me I can't really say any of the songs are duds, they are all enjoyable to listen to, some are obviously liked more than others, but there are none on here that I would skip. So yes, go buy it, and maybe next record I will be able to eloquently discuss it much better than I have done with this one or any of the others.