Although it's often necessary to change musical direction at various points in a band's career, Canada's The Stills have undergone the full reinvention. This will disappoint those who enjoyed the melodic post-punk of their 'Logic Will Break Your Heart' album for 'Without Feathers' is an unwelcome volte-face to embrace celebratory country rock. This is the kind of record where one song ('Oh Shoplifter') features six people credited with handclaps whilst 'Destroyer' goes for the full-on brass accompaniment. Unfortunately this doesn't quite compensate for the songs which don't linger long in the memory and lack the bruised intensity of their earlier work. Notable exceptions are the downbeat, heartfelt closer 'The House We Live In' and 'Helicopters', whose dense arrangement and euphoric hook only serves to remind us of the power of the debut record. Doubtless, some will appreciate the more uptempo sound but it's unlikely many listeners will appreciate both their albums.