The latest incarnation of Mayo Thompson's well-traveled collective has produced an album that is as tuneful as it is challenging. Thompson has always made music that surely left some listeners scratching their heads, but on Hazel his young ensemble (which includes members of Tortoise and Gastr del Sol, as well as ex-Minutemen drummer George Hurley) has drawn out of him his most melodic and satisfying work to date.

Tony Peltier