"Cursed Mirror" repeats a version of the notion that when you point your finger at someone, three point at yourself. The idea of taking responsibility for your own actions is then turned into brilliant praise on the very next song. "You came through/When nobody expected you to/You came through/With all those narrowed eyes upon you," goes the refrain on "1000 Pounds," a standout track with stringed accents. There's no let up into "Good Dreams," an indie rock love song with some real guitar chops followed by the tongue-twisting stroll under "Pink Clouds."

The spirit of independence shines fiercest in "June Showers," the best anti-major label song since Tsunami's "Enter Misguided." Laura Balance's bass propels the undercurrent of severity of the tune with Mac offering a hand to a friend about to "kiss the Devil on the mouth/Now it scares you." Indeed he prays for "a bolt from the blue/A transfusion that might keep you/From giving up." Do I sound like I'm gushing? Good. I've been waiting all year to have some musical expectations met. What do you say when they're exceeded?