 Though their experimental endeavors received some press coverage, their real breakthrough came with the 1999 release, "The Soft Bulletin".Marrying more traditional catchy melodies with synthetic strings, hypnotic, carefully manipulated beats, booming cymbals and oddball but philosophical lyrics (sung much more strongly than on earlier releases), the album quickly became one of the underground hits of the year, even widely considered to be one of the best albums of the entire decade.Compared by many music critics to the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" because of its inclusion of harmonies and orchestrated sounds, "The Soft Bulletin" also featured greater use of synthesizers, drum machines, sound effects and more studio manipulation.