Yeah, savor that image. Title TK certainly embodies it. As the absurdly awaited follow-up to freakin' 1993's Last Splash, this 12-track ball o' confusion arrives lugging more baggage than Princess Vespa in Spaceballs. Nearly a decade has passed since such breezy, sardonic pop tunes as "Cannonball" and "Divine Hammer" cast Dayton's Deal sisters as the dual-chambered beating heart of '90s alt-rock, but apparently even Kim and Kelley found that metaphor unbearable. Breakups, countless lineup changes, endless false starts, never-ending drug rumors. Title TK, appropriately, sounds completely disoriented.
All the Breeders touchstones remain -- twisted surf-guitar line, tightly compressed bass, weird Deal-to-Deal vocal harmonies. But only the final track, "Huffer," grabs those elements and breaks into a sprint. The preceding 11 lope aimlessly about, frowning at their own reflections. "Off You" breaks down to minimal guitar, upright bass, and Kim's oddly frail voice. "Put on a Side" only adds harmony. "The She," drums and dissonant piano.
When focused, the Breeders can still pump out a hook that actually sticks -- "Has anyone seen the iguana?" the Deals repeatedly intone on "Sinister Foxx." But the rest of TK sounds absolutely shell-shocked -- a sterling pop-rock band blown to pieces and nowhere near being put back together again. Could be worse, though. You're lucky Uncle Bob's wearing pants at all.
