If Nick Thornburn of Islands could keep the same lineup for more than one album I think it would be a miracle. His first band The Unicorns lasted all of one record and Islands' 2006 debut Return to the Sea featured Unicorn drummer alum Jaime T'ambour but now he's out of the picture leaving Thornburn all to his original member lonesome for Islands album number two.

Based on the artwork of new album Arm's Way alone you'd venture to guess that Thornburn has discarded whimsy and playfulness for Rick Wakeman/Emerson Lake & Palmer self-seriousness and honestly you wouldn't be that far off my friend. Arm's Way is a self-indulgent and at times overwrought sophomore effort that at 68 minutes in length can be a chore to sit through, but when in the right mood Arm's Way opens itself to be quite the sprawling epic. It shifts tempo nearly every couple of minutes and always keeps the listeners on their toes. The opening title track with its dual violins and Thornburn's delicate guitar work and vocal intricacies make for a great start to the proceedings and "Pieces of You" with its sousaphone strut keeps things intriguing. The middle of Arm's Way can be a struggle at times with the tepid "Life in Jail" and "In the Rushes" bogging down the flow for a few moments, but after that it's clear sailing all the way to the ambitious 11 minute closer "Vertigo (If it's a Crime)."

Arm's Way really is a handful of an album and likely won't strike a chord with everyone, but those who are patient and willing to revisit it a few times after initial introductions will come to realize that this second offering of extravagant excess is every bit as good as Islands' laid back yet tight knit debut.