"A Prospector Can Dream" is an early highlight, particularly the lyric that reads: "Sheathe all your weapons and head for the south, there's gold in those hills; refuse all your standard help." It's great to listen to a deliberately literary band, especially when the words don't come at the cost of melody. Forward Russia aren't going to be leading sing-sings around the piano anytime soon, but you can say the same of Muse – and that doesn't seem to be doing them any harm. Shades of Arcade Fire in the backing vocals are just the cherry on the top. "Spring Is A Condition" is a coiled spring of tension, waiting to be released. It contains the revelation that 'April is dripping; a sponge soaked in Mucus.' I'm not sure about the capitalisation of 'muscus' but you can't fault the band's use of semi colon. Forward Russia have the content to stimulate the intellect, both in their use of language and music, but you don't need a degree to enjoy them.

"Don't Reinvent What You Don't Understand" has a jerky rhythm, before the torrents of Indie guitar return. In the latter respect only Forward Russia recapture the glory of Kitchens of Distinction. "Some Buildings" is more of the same, with added thunder mixed in with the guitar noise. Tom has the fervour of a religious preacher as he sings: 'Ashes to ashes/Dust to dust/Jesus and Christ and Lazarus". The single "Breaking, Standing" remains one of the more accessible parts of the band's oeuvre, though perhaps not quite their most thrilling. "Gravity And Heat" starts quietly with echo-laden guitar and Tom showing the fragility of Radiohead's Tom Yorke. This oasis of calm lasts less than a minute before the loud guitars stomp in. At six minutes long Forward Russia pack a lot into this song. There are Muse-like prog rock elements, mixed with Metallica-heavy guitar riffing.

I wasn't expecting the piano and vocal performance of "Fosberry In Discontent". It has a Suede-like melancholy. I flippantly wondered whether this song could be about Dick Fosbury, inventor of the Fosbury Flop technique of jumping. Tom sings: 'I'm doing the high jump' so I might have been right all along. For years I was traumatised by the mystery that surrounded such a move. I was warned in my Cup Scout Badge Book that 'you must not attempt the Fosbury Flop' without an adequate explanation for such a dire warning. Whatever the inspiration, this song is a welcome calm, albeit it one in the eye of the hurricane.

"A Shadow Is A Shadow Is A Shadow" features more creative riffing overload, mirroring the qualities of the previous songs on offer. "Spanish Triangles" brings matters to a close. It starts quietly, like something by Strangelove. Over its nine minute run it features squealing guitars, more Arcade Fire-style backing vocals, several peaks and troughs, deft drumming and fierce naked emotion. It's an epic end to an epic album.

Forward Russia are experimental, but never self indulgent. They make intelligent, densely-written modern rock marathons. There are many layers to their music, which demand repeated listening. While accentuating the intellectual, they never neglect the emotional. They don't make music for the faint hearted, but the brave among you should proceed with speed.