Seven More Minutes
Moving on from the retro-chic, turbo-geek look and sound of thefirst disc, Rentals frontman Matt Sharp grows out his hair, puts on a polka-dot shirt, and decides torock.Seven More Minutesstarts out with a bouncy ode to the power of positive drinking and the hedonistic, upbeat mood from then on is almost irrepressible.  Even songs with titles such as "Say Goodbye Forever" sound more cheerful than depressed. The Rentals also have a great supporting cast this time around, including Tim Wheeler fromAshand Damon Albarn fromBlur. Petra Haden is back and her vocals are mixed to a creamy perfection; on the absolutely gorgeous "My Head Is in the Sun," Maya Rudolph whispers a comforting chorus. The party atmosphere fades on the album's ennui-soaked closer, "Jumping Around," which leaves you with the downside of a debauched lifestyle. Still, it's not enough to sink the overall buoyant, jubilant mood of the disc.Seven More Minutesis 57 minutes and 42 seconds more of the drug you've been looking for.--Nick Berry