Just listened to Repubic (for the first time!). Really strong songwriting--catchy tunes accompanied by simple but direct lyrics with just the right amount of repeated phrases. You feel you know the songs well, even on a first hearing.

"Chemical" is a standout--especially for the synthesizer work. My personal faves, though, are the darker songs (no surprise there): "Ruined in a Day," "Times Change," and "Avalanche." Any internal problems the group had during the making of this album certainly don't interfere with the music.