Call it a cheat because I dont feel like reviewing all his back catalogue. Also, call it impractical because most of the songs on this release were never "singles". There are only 11 cuts and each one is darling, even when taken away from a somewhat thematically linked album. I wouldnt know just how to describe Oldham's transition into indie rock troubadour and marginalized gothic folker except that it is not surprising. Right around the time he released what is being called his magnum opus "I See A Darkness" Oldham had been letting his dark side out sporatically. So perhaps ISAD gets more of a welcome than his prior work as Palace because it was somewhat more consistant. Since then he has more or less made subtle strides to return to appalachian indie tunes and trading vocals with Dawn McCarthy, Ashley Webber, and others, as well as plit releases with longtime hipsters such as Matt Sweeney and Tortoise. This comp attempts to sum up his recent years as though stating he has found his style. Not hardly. I still cant wait to hear what he does next.