according to raggett, opening song "all i ask of myself is that i hold together" features an "absolutely massive guitar blast and partially sampled metallic percussion" with "john penney's always-reliable vocals riding the chaos with increasing desperation, serves notice that the quintet isn't into doing anything half-assed." "floote" is another instance "of the band's ear for newer approaches", and features a flute and "an attractive sitar filigree for a trippily eerie crunch." according to "trouser press", the song is witty "pop-hop" and its flute is "jammy." "your only joke" and "i want it over" are together an "epic but not overbearing collapse." "prenotion" features the funky drummer breakbeat loop sped-up, acoustic guitar and "a quietly hyperactive keyboard techno riff." "...to be right" combines "heavily processed wash" with "gentler chime."