"We may be donkeys, but at least we have a tale to tell," Tim Kasher warns early on his Omaha, Nebraska, roots–punk outfit's sixth record. And then he's off, spewing sharp, seriously scary stories about fucked–up families, inkblot tests, masturbation and lots of speculation about how he's going to hell. Kasher's band sounds equally manic as it cranks out a dizzying range of amped–up hardcore ("In the Now"), horn–powered country rock ("I Couldn't Love You") and angular balladry ("Let Me Up"). Cursive haven't sounded this crazed and inspired since their breakthrough album, 2003's The Ugly Organ. Unfortunately, all that inspiration comes at a price. As Kasher sings on "From the Hips," "I'm at my best when I'm at my worst."