First reaction: Justin's musical sponge is sopping wet with influence, creativity and magic. The decade-plus interim since his last released music has culminated in this comparatively brief, concise ALBUM that's packed with as much juice as it could hold and I doubt I'll find myself wearying of its charms in the near future.As with the recent re-emergence of Polvo, time is really working wonders for Brandt and Justin and while perhaps the otherworldly chemistry of the old band is only hinted at, there are musical ideas being explored here that only an experienced pro with a thirst for new mysteries could be capable of, and the drums sound huge and tight. Having said that, "Cut the Quick" really surprised me in how much it sounds like it might have been written circa '97 or '98 - it's got a real classic, innocent quality to it that makes it shine among the brainier, more subtle and connoisseurish songs that comprise most of the record.Again, considering the supposedly coincidental and nonchalant way in which Survival Knife came to be, it comes across right away that the band knew exactly what they were doing when it came down to making an album that holds together with a strong through-line and climax and everything. I hear some nods to Crimson and British folk-rock and maybe even some RFTC in there and yet everything sounds as one continuous, unique shard of cloth! I can't wait for more.