Probably have to rank 3 albums around the same level. 2nd law, Resistance, and this Drones.. Blackholes still below, haven't listened to a track from that in a long time, Cydonia aside.
Anyway, do enjoy a few songs on this album which of course they hid away in odd spots. Lyrically abysmal again with the topics on hand, plenty of of rock and synth riffage to keep us going through it. Although I have to be a bit disappointed they would use an exit riff from live play for an entire song with Psycho and somewhat have this as one of their main songs. No crazy experimental classicals or electronica, nor too many terrible tracks. Unless you consider 'Drones' an actual song. Globalist had something going with it for a while, right in the middle! Handler, Defector sure to get replays.
Overall it's more solid as an album than a few others they've done but it doesn't reach any particular heights too much, nor bottom out with terrible cringe or shit they sometimes come up with. Bringing the overall average above something like 2nd Law, which had a couple of tracks I really enjoyed but hate on others. Still a long way to go to get to the first 3 album level.