Reunion albums don't come much better than this.

For their first new studio disc in 15 years, singer-guitarist David Lowery and Camper Van Beethoven return at full strength with a fiery political concept piece about a Texan who joins the military after a "catastrophic attack," only to grow disillusioned and end up a suicide bomber for an underground militia.

The intensity and complexity of the narrative are handily matched by the music, which seamlessly interweaves the eclectic outfit's trademark ethno excursions with passages of tighter, harder-hitting fare than you might expect from greying college rockers. Here's hoping we don't have to wait 15 years for the followup.

Track listing:
1. Prelude
2. Sons of the New Golden West
3. 51-7
4. White Fluffy Clouds
5. That Gum You Like Is Back in Style
6. Might Makes Right
7. Militia Song
8. R 'N' R Uzbekistan
9. Sons of the New Golden West (Reprise)
10. New Roman Times
11. Poppies of Balmorhea
12. Long Plastic Hallway
13. I Am Talking to This Flower
14. Come Out
15. Tigres Traficantes
16. I Hate This Part of Texas
17. Hippy Chix
18. Civil Disobedience
19. Discotheque CVB
20. Hey Brother