Signing to a major-label doesn't really change
Guster
's outlook for their third album,
Lost & Gone Forever
. However, the switch to the big leagues has given the band the opportunity to hire a heavy-hitter producer,
Steve Lillywhite
, who performs a similar function here that he did with
Dave Matthews
.
Lillywhite
doesn't attempt to change
's jovial folk-pop, but he helps them focus and gives them a clear, vibrant sonic palette that makes
sound inviting and intimate. That's a blessing, since it highlights their effortless melodic gifts, warm harmonies, and quirky arrangements. And, depending on your view, it may also be a bit of a curse since it highlights the group's cutesy, jokey side, which can be a little irritating. Still,
is not only
's best-sounding record, it's among their most consistent, filled with some of their strongest, catchiest tunes. In other words, it's exactly what their major-label debut should have been. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine