It seems as if I'm in the minority here as I actually prefer GAF to Starfish. If I had a counter for how many times I listened to each Church album, Starfish would be in the bottom 3. There are more songs that I prefer on GAF than on Starfish. My main beef with GAF is the production of it leaves a little to be desired. (btw just ordered the 2 disc remaster and am so hoping that the sound is really beefed up as it was on BC, OSAH, Heyday, Seance remasters) Pharaoh as an opener is absolutely killer. It is the link to what came later on P=A. Metropolis is a great little single with a memorable hook. I think that City is a great track and is one of my favorites ever. Russian Autumn Heart has great energy and it still never fails to get my toes tapping. Essence is another great track with wonderful lyrics. Peters contribution Transient is another track that I dig quiet a bit. What a closer in Grind, eh? Yes there are a couple of tunes that dont resonate with me at all, but thats no different than most any album. Difference being that there are less here for me than on Starfish. Like most of you, I dislike Youre Still Beautiful and tend to skip it when listening, but thats the only song that I can do without. Why they released it as a single I will never know. Does anyone know how that desicion came to be? Band or record label? Both?

There is so much to choose from with this band. Enough nuances, hallways in the mind, etc.. to make this band a favorite of all of us. Some prefer one part and some others. I find that refreshing and stimulating. It makes me appreciate the band and its fans all the more. I kind of look at their canon of work like I would types of food. If we all had to eat the same style of food every day we get bored and dissatisfied quickly. The variety makes it more enjoyable for all. Same thing with the Church and GAF. Most of you prefer Starfish and I read and understand your reasons. However, I don't understand the vitriol for this album. Quiet enough here to make it an essential Church album and for me a classic. To each their own, but for me this was kind of the conclusion, the natural ending, for Church stage 1. (OSAH, BC, Seance, RL, Sing Songs, Persia, Heyday and Starfish, throw in Spots if you want) For me, that's my favorite era of the church. My prefered tastes, if you will. As such, GAF is a great bookend to end the first era for the Church. Things begin to change and a new type of style begins to emerge with P=A, which for me begins the Church's second era. 1 begets another, but GAF stands tall and fits rather nicely in their (and mine) history.