…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead is back once again, causing readers to take a breath after saying its name.

The Austin, Texas-based quintet directed by multi-instrumentalist Conrad Keely is finally telling the truth to its fans. In the past, Keely and longtime drummer, friend and partner-in-crime Jason Reece have lied during interviews, destroyed their instruments in any old fashion and carelessly ignored the mainstream music market.

It is with these personalities that Interscope Records feels confident in supporting and writing checks to.

A letter sent with the “So Divided” press materials broke the news to critics that Keely’s newest lyrics are honest, personal reflections of himself. Invigorating as it might sound, the latest 11-track release features two filler tracks of ambient noise and a Guided by Voices cover, leaving a mix of eight songs.

Instrumentally, the album encompasses the larger spectrum of 2005’s “Worlds Apart,” but not as much and ignores the chaotic mayhem of 2002’s “Source Tags and Codes” and beyond.

The dark lyrics of “So Divided” were thought out to be matched with brighter chord progressions. Resulting through this thought process is a few lengthy mediocre songs and several highlights.

The release date of “So Divided” was postponed several times until the final November date. Non-satisfactory mixing was the prime component for the delay and everything on this fifth full-length sounds natural.

Kevin Allen’s additional guitar works in hand with the other guitars or piano, combining clear strums with slight feedback. Pianist Amanda Palmer of Boston’s punk cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls makes a guest appearance on “Life,” proving that her very own sophomore-release could have been much better.

As slow and distortion-lacking as the album is, acoustic guitars on “Witches Web” and Tahitian drum rhythms during “Wasted State of Mind,” Trail of Dead appears not to be dry of ideas.