Cupid's Cactus

It's amusing to watch a band called F**k slip into more docile songwriting with every subsequent release. More than ever, the crude, in-your-face moniker belies a band with peaceful and relaxed intentions. Not that they started off as hardcore; they've always strummed along with humble, understated melodies. But this effort, Cupid's Cactus, is even softer and more sensitive than before. Every vocal is a whisper, and every note is carefully considered. It's as if they're constantly struggling to create more beautiful music with fewer ingredients, so nary a note is wasted. "Respond" plays to this sweet and innocent side by mixing the sounds of children's toys — perfectly in key — into the last verse. "Oshun" is archetypal F**k, with equal parts chords, noodling, bass, and vocals. Nothing overshadows anything else, and they all play so succinctly. You'd think they were jamming, but their note selection is so on the mark, it's obvious they're not. This, without question, is some of the best F**k yet.