"Tranquility is one of the finest Church songs of all time. I get
the sense that all four guys poured everything into Tranquility. Buffalo and Louisiana are more typical Church efforts."

Hmmm... interesting Florian... this quote from you reflects exactly
what I feel about 'HOB' itself. 'Tranquility' is indeed worthy of the
'classic Church' label and yes, you can almost feel the effort that the band
put into getting it 'just right'. And, they did!

On the other hand, 'Louisiana' is IMO so UN-Church like and worthy of
nothing more than a slot on 'A Quick Smoke At Spots Volume II'.
'Another Earth' IMO ranks as among the band's most forgettable songs.
Ditto 'Glowworm' and, 'This Is It' barely generates a neuron spark.

Lose the four above-mentioned tracks and you'd have an 'EP'
to challenge as one of the best group of songs the band has
released together.

Much has been made about the differences in the band's music
when all four members work together. True enough, but it cuts
both ways- weak songs are weak songs no matter how and what
input generated the result.
The Church have had as many brilliant ideas as a group as they did
when SK held the reins. Neither has had a monopoly on 'penning'
weak tracks either. I do though feel that TP has truly brought a
'fourth' viewpoint forward- four heads are better than three and
you have to think his 'console' skills play a large part in how the
band's sound has changed.
Now, let's concentrate on the music...

Fraulein.
Bliss comes first as a jangling flood ...