An opossum's gestation period lasts thirteen days. A sheep generally gives birth after one hundred and forty-eight days. A camel can last four hundred and six days without birthing her young. The Meadowlands, better known as the new Wrens album, smashes all these records. With seven years (for the mathematically disinclined: 2492 days) to infuse and steam in its own angst, The Meadowlands emerges not as a squirming baby camel but as a weary and wise-beyond-years teenager stuck in a middle-aged body. "It's an indie-rock classic, and their best CD. I love it. Just think if Black Francis could do the same," comments Ed Hahn, Senior.

The thirteen songs are knit together by the steady, building rush of emotion, although sometimes the progression isn't so sound. It only makes for a more beautiful mess of a record. A wealth of experiences shape smoky moments of life into strong lyrics, tangible feelings, and incredibly good instrumentals.

The last couple songs on the album, "Per Second Second" and "Everyone Chooses Sides," stab the melancholy tone of the rest of the songs with choppy punk bits and fuming rock. Somehow, the placement of the songs work- normally misery follows anger, but the Wrens flip-flop the role and leave the burn for the end. This isn't to say that there aren't bouts of pure agitation in the beginnings of the album - "Faster Gun" seethes, and the bass line of the ironically bitter "Happy" grinds.

In contrast, "13 Months in 6 Minutes" takes seven minutes to slowly explain to me why relationships do not tend to work. "This Boy is Exhausted" renders the listener still and sharp, not only because of the pop-rock hook, but because if you listen to the lyrics, it completely deceives the more acerbic, post-Nirvana-Nevermind style favored by Wrens' previous album, Secaucus. Through most of the album, drums slam and the keyboard-work is nicely trickled through to leak into the lovely, eclectic blend of music.

Final verdict? 4.5/5 stars. Let's just hope the seven-year-thing doesn't become a trend for other bands to follow.