I've had an advance copy burning a hole in my discman for a week now, and that's where this little gem is staying for quite a while! "The World Is Flat" is a full album of just pure, gorgeous rock. It's simply a well crafted, completely cohesive album, and yet almost all of the songs can stand alone in their own right. Some catchy "hit" type songs ("Geisha Girl," "Backfire" and "Living with the Static") that seep into your brain cells forever. Songs that you'll find yourself humming first thing in the morning ("Hey You"). Songs that are just plain moving and introspective (my personal fave, "Promise to Burn," and Chuck's ode to John Lennon "To the Very Marrow"). It's rare to find an album that works on so many levels, but damn...it sure feels good. Remember rock? You know, no bells and whistles, no rapping, just ROCK? Well it's back. About time.