etherbored, I'd say the comments of that review were accurate in ways, but on the otherhand I don't see them as negatives, so apparently the reviewer is coming from a far different point than I. I've listened to this one several times now, and there's no denial that it is heavily influenced by old Metheny themes, but I think it sounds great.
Alexander, as far as recommendations, I'd have to split mine into two directions. For Pat Metheny, I'd go with the Trio 99-00 recording, or the live version if you feel like springing for a 2 cd set. For the Pat Metheny Group, I guess I'd go with Offramp or Secret Story, although my personal favorite is As Falls Witchita, So Falls Witchita Falls. If you're the type that often finds himself saying, of this music or that, "that's not jazz", stick with the trio stuff...