Not sure if this is better than Alligator but it is a fantastic album nonetheless.

The lead single sounds a bit like Joy Division, I would agree, but pretty much all the rest don't as much...
-ringding-

haven't yet listened to the entire album, but from what the Washington Post said of their recent 9:30 Club show, the new songs didn't translate that well in 'live' form - they said their performance was sleep inducing.

that is what I feared is that unless you really appreciate the album, then live the songs aren't going to be that "lively"..and I'm sure the critic isn't a huge fan of the album.

After almost 2 months of listening to this:

Brainy > Fake Empire > Apartment Story > Slow Show > Racing Like A Pro > Mistaken for Strangers > Gospel > Ada > Green Gloves > Guest Room > Start a War > Squalor Victoria

This is still my favorite album of the year. It seems like I can keep listening to it over and over again without becoming tired of the songs. I feel like I'm in sort of "National" trance.