I just took a listen to this yesterday, for the first time in
about two years. I feel that "Louisiana" is the BEST
track on the album, actually, but otherwise agree that
there is too much substandard stuff on there. In the
past where the chorus would really grab you, instead
it is rather limp and just lies there-the energy level
overall is rather low ("Another Earth" being a notable
exception). Other than "L.A.", only "Tranquility",
"Buffalo", and "AE" really resonate with me musically
AND lyrically (which is where I place a lot of my
emphasis on Church material)-"Anesthesia" just sounds
like Steve is giving up...

It is definitely more accessible than their previous 90's
efforts, and for me that counts for something (I have
refrained from commenting on MATS so as to not spark
a flame war ;-), but overall nothing here dissuades me
from the perception that the boys have been in a
musical and creative decline for most of the 90's (well,
I'll save my praise for _ABoB_ when the topic pops up).

John DiFool