I just have to write a mini-review here of the new Gothic Archies album. As one who never read the Lemony Snicket books, nor watched the movie, I can say that this album is amazing. It may enhance the experience of the album if you know the source material, but it is unneeded. Just like Stephin Merritt's album from last year, the tracks stand alone just fine. Probably even better in this case. It's thirteen wonderful tracks of despair. The EP the band put out almost 9 years ago was always just...there. In Merritt's catalog, it was just something there, another band he did but nothing special. On this new album the project hits its stride. Its purpose. It just works and it's up to par with Merritt's other work. Which is awesome, because Stephin Merritt is such a wonderful songwriter:what shall we use for bait? lend me a handi'll sew it back on when we get to landbut if the shark takes it, that would be grandbecause we won't starve to death, you understand