That´s a refreshing and good view, Tar Heel. Give it some space and maybe you feel better about it later on. It´s not a shame to later say that you find some good points there. Many The Church-albums can be disappointing at first.

I feel that Deadman´s Hand is perhaps the least interesting track here because it´s so predictable. It´s quite clear what happens after listening to the first 15 seconds. I don´t really care for songs that are based mostly on one simple riff. It´s too simple here and this kind of song could be done by numerous uninventive bands that can´t really construct a memorable melody, for example Editors. Bands that pretend they can make a song but there is just a pile of guitar solos, synths and stuff and there really is nothing below the surface, just something that resembles a song. Deadman´s Hand is still better than everything I´ve heard from Editors. Editors try so much to have passion and meaning but it´s just empty bluff.

But when Pangaea starts then it´s the start of the album properly for me...