Just got this cd the other day. Wow. [censored] amazing.
The music is difficult to describe, but it sounds like a pot pourri, at times Modest Mouse, Tom Waits, Mars Volta, Radiohead, O.A.R., etc. Very different.
"We Used To Vacation" is the single, I'm not sure how much airtime it's getting where you are, but you can check out
EQX and listen live, they play it periodically. The vocalist reminds me of Mars Volta, but less screechy and grating. The music is strange, but very listenable.
It's very rare that I buy a cd and love it on the first listen, but that was the case with "Robbers and Cowards". This cd just flat out pwns. Every single track is good.
Sorry this isn't much of a review I guess... basically you should own this cd. NME calls them "the best new band on earth" and that's not an understatement. Rolling Stone gave the album 4 stars. And now I'm giving it the only review necessary:
MUST OWN. This thing is outta this world.
It is not the usual song structure, but not so experimental that it ruins the flow and listenability of the songs. The vocals play a big role, the lyrics are great, the music is interesting and varied... I just can't say enough about this album. If you like Modest Mouse, Radiohead, Mars Volta, Tool, O.A.R., Tom Waits or just good music in general I seriously recommend checking this album out. I'm not sure if it's on iTunes or not, but "We Used To Vacation", "Hang Me Up To Dry", and "Hospital Beds" are probably the 3 tracks I'd advise checking out if you're considering it.
If I was balla I'd just buy this cd for all of 2+2, but as it stands I can probably only afford to buy it for one of you, which I may or may not end up doing. It's that good - it inspires altruism. It cured my headache the first time I played it, and this most recent listen on the car ride home from out of town. I haven't been able to take it out of my cd player.
Check this [censored] out holmes, it is amazing.
edit:
here's a video for "Hang Me Up To Dry"