How does the goofy, spastic, almost-improvisational noise-rock duo Hella weather the change to a goofy, space-prog, almost-screamo quintet who write actual songs with vocals on every tune? To judge by their first album as a real band (and first for Mike Pattons Ipecac, as well) theyve done quite well, thank you. They had already perfected spastic metal-noise and were never going to be as good as Lightning Bolt (who were there first anyway), so they had to try something new. Imagine a mellower and less serious Mars Volta collaborating with Ween, or the Blood Brothers on a Grateful Dead kick, or the Boredoms circa 90 crossed with the Boredoms circa 95. The Sacramento, California-based groups sense of humor doesnt end with the records name; sample song titles include The Ungrateful Dead, The Things That People Do When They Think No Ones Looking, and Anarchists Just Wanna Have Fun. This is definitely a transitional album and as such, its not perfect. But its always an exciting ride; the only way to know whats going to happen next is to have already memorized it.