Less claustrophobic than their final album for East West,
This Constant Chase for Thrills is an atmospheric production that cycles through downtempo house, dub, and earthy trip-hop, with vocalist Ricky Barrow stretching his urban-bluesman impression. Compared to previous Aloof albums, the differences aren't major -- the team is still writing the same kind of tortured tracks ("Infatuated," "Tearing Up Inside") that they always have. It appears that making an album free from the pressure of major-label politics, however, has resulted in a breath of fresh air, four LPs down the road. ~ John Bush