A band’s third record should be a statement of intent as well as a progression. It’s impressive for a band to hang around that long nowadays and so it can be treated as somewhat of a victory lap also. This appears to be what we have with Bodies of Water’s Twist Again, a record that references the artists’ past and celebrates their achievements so far, but also progresses the band, although perhaps only the most attentive listener will pick up on these. The same epic folk music returns, comparable maybe to contemporary Titus Andronicus, and it’s clear where the Arcade Fire comparisons come from, but Bodies of Water manage to be far less interminable than Arcade Fire.

Twist Again is primarily melancholy. Even the more upbeat cuts are underpinned by a sadness that pervades the entire record. It is handled deftly though, and it never hits the listener over the head, shouting “look how sad I am! Pity me!” as you would occasionally get from lesser artists and homeless people. Both “Open Rhythms” and “Like A Stranger” bounce along quite merrily, but the vocal melodies imply a somberness that lends a nice duality to the entire record. Elsewhere “Ever With Us” and “Lights Out Are Forever” drip with lament but posses a smoothness that seems to pave over any worries that the lyrics denote.

At a touch over thirty-six minutes the record is incredibly short, but at least it does not outstay its welcome; twelve is a good number of tracks when dealing with music like this. The small jazz inflections scattered across add an element of unpredictability, ensuring that numerous spins are well worth the listener’s time; each one an opportunity to find something new.

There are no real low points in Twist Again, but there is an overriding feeling that Bodies of Water is not doing anything truly original. Having said that, the ride is a fun and worthwhile one.

Final Words: A well paced record that only suffers from a lack of innovation.