Nearly a decade has passed since such breezy, sardonic pop tunes as "Cannonball" and "Divine Hammer" cast the Deal sisters of Dayton, Ohio, as the dual-chambered beating heart of '90s alt-rock, but apparently even Kim and Kelley found that metaphor unbearable. Breakups, countless lineup changes, endless false starts, never-ending drug rumors: Title TK, appropriately, sounds completely disoriented.
All the Breeders touchstones remain -- twisted surf-guitar lines, tightly compressed bass, weird Deal-to-Deal vocal harmonies. But only the final track, "Huffer," grabs those elements and breaks into a sprint. The preceding eleven lope aimlessly about, frowning at their own reflections. "Off You" breaks down to minimal guitar, upright bass and Kim's oddly frail voice. "Put on a Side" only adds harmony, "The She" drums and dissonant piano. When focused, the Breeders can still pump out a hook that actually sticks -- "Has anyone seen the iguana?" the Deals repeatedly intone on "Sinister Foxx." But the rest of TK sounds absolutely shell-shocked -- a sterling pop-rock band blown to pieces and nowhere near being put back together again. Could be worse, though. You're lucky Uncle Bob's wearing pants at all.