Audio Mixer: Arlen Thompson.

Maintaining the adventurous nature that makes Sunset Rubdown Spencer Krug' most ambitious project, DRAGONSLAYER is a tightly woven listen. Third time's a charm, as they say, and here it seems that Krug has struck that perfect balance between eclectic and poppy. It's a fine line, but Sunset Rubdown treads it well, never seeming too careful and never stepping on a hook with the combo's trademark spiraling solos and splintering changes. Although the band deconstructs the typical verse-chorus formula and the songs usually break the five-minute mark ("Dragon's Lair" exceeds ten minutes), the melodies of "Idiot Heart" and opener "Silver Moons" are instantly memorable, sounding nearly classic. The latter song is a piano ballad with elements of glam rock, that, once again, takes a cue from David Bowie but this time appropriating Ziggy Stardust moves rather than drawing influence from Bowie's Berlin era. Sure, the music is challenging - it's complex, musically and thematically. Art rock's not supposed to be easy. But as carefully crafted as it is, DRAGONSLAYER is the group's most accessible record yet.