Yeah, the earlier Shipuuden episodes have been rather slow and drawn out. It didn't help that within the first ten episodes or so they wound up recycling the same five tracks. I must admit though, recently they've made up for it in terms of the new stuff they've been using for the Sasori fight scenes (especially in the hugly climatic 10 vs. 100 episode).

Honestly, I must say that episode for me anyway redeemed all of the misgiving so far in shipuuden. It was perfectly editied, perfectly scored and makes me feel considerably excited for the upcoming appearance of the 4-tails.