"“What Doesn’t Kill Us” exemplifies the rococo ideal that no pop filigree will go unused. Is this a bad thing? I think not. It is certainly entertaining,and half the fun is discerning influences and references. New wavisms turn up alongside the kind of ’70s power ballads that shamed many, but serve as a suitably ironic backdrop for Michael Kingcaid’s easy lead vocals (although when he pulls out the stops… watch out! He’s one of rock’s overlooked vocal commandos). The meters are pegged on some tracks and, on others, the sound is pristine. It’s a wide-screen production, ably executed by Sparklehorse’s Chris Michaels. And, speaking of vocal harmonies lovingly worked out in sweaty rehearsal halls, there are rich, four-part harmonies sprinkled throughout." (LA Times)
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