This Baltimore foursome's (named after Isaac Asimov's Foundation series' Hari Seldon's "psychohistory" plan) second LP is as strong as their 2005 debut, Making Circles. Death Cab For Cutie can be heard in "Poem For the Middle Class," with its spidery guitar, top of range vocal break, and melancholic grace -- or the (uncredited-) piano-infused "Saint Barnabas." Meanwhile, the Plan's bread and butter remains an energetic, but controlled later ‘80s Dischord-fed, indie-pop/emo hybrid that also alights on late period, nicer Superchunk and Tsunami. That is to say, Collective is 11 highly melodic, totally tuneful songs buttressed by rushing, bright electric guitars expertly brought out again by producer Frank Marchand. It's a fitting base for Michael Nestor's Elliott Smith-like syrupy voice. Wanna rock? Look no further than "Dance, Despite the Obvious." ~ Jack Rabid