Just as parts of Irresistible Bliss showed Soul Coughing’s too-cool-for-school facade melting away in favor of a more streamlined approach, its third album—El Oso ("The Bear")—found the band exploring new ways to bring stronger melodies into the mix when necessary. Against the advice of producer Tchad Blake, the band included the track “Circles,” a simple but effective pop song with a genuine hook. It turned out to be the band’s biggest hit. “Blame” includes more hooks and harmonies. “$300” contains a sample of a Chris Rock joke that had been backmasked on his Roll with the New album. Most of the album, however, remains centered on M. Doughty’s smart lyrics and snarling delivery, which adds a sense of menace to the noir of “Houston,” the slinky “St. Louise Is Listening,” the atonal hip-hop of “Monster Man,” and the deliberately monotonous and manic “I Miss the Girl.” (M. Doughty has since returned to action as Mike Doughty, rejecting much of Soul Coughing’s work and focusing on a more melodic singer/songwriting career.)