So, I finally got Untitled 23. Was only able to get it via itunes, but alas, I got it.
Still forming an opinion. It really is different. I think ULTC was rather safe territory for The Church. It was good, but not daring. This album is both good and daring. Or better to say its great. There are a few "classic" Church sounding tracks, but others definitely took me by surprise.
Cobalt Blue. Good song, not sure the right track to open the album. Awfully hard to following such stellar openers as Block, Sealine, Numbers, and Anesthesia.. Cobalt Blue is a different approach. I like it more each time I hear it.
Deadman Hand. Sounds a bit radiohead-ish to me. Stays in my head. I like it, but not one of my favorites thus far.
Pangaea - Gorgeous. Such a warm, beautiful, and comforting mood. Yes, easy to love.
Happenstance - Great song, would be better if only Sk sing on it. Why always the shared lyrics always with MWP, and not PK? hmm....maybe on the next album.
Space Savior. Spiritualized reference is obvious. This song grabbed me right away, and still does. One of my favorites....Better then anything JPiece has done in a long while.
Angel - Still thinking. One of those more "challenging"songs. Very good lyrics, great storytelling. still not sure about the music yet.
Ssun - Maybe my favorite thus far. Simply, I love it, and keeping going back to it. One for the ages...
Anchorage - Seems to me Sk sings much like GrantM on much of this song, and track has that intelligent rock tenderness (almost bordering on corny, but not..) that Grant did so well. Very surprised at first, but liking it more and more.
Lunar. Seems too short. Midway starts to sound very Arcade Fire to me (i love them, so not a criticism). But song seems to end too soon. Have not formed clear opinion about this one yet.
Operetta - Darn impossible not to love. Makes me want to play the piano. Also puts a big smile on my face. Perfect album closer. Much, much better closer then song to go

Impossible to rank the album thus far, or compare too closely to others, as I have lived with those others for years, and this one only for days. I definitely sense I will like it more then ULTC (sadly I dont go back to that album often), but less sure how it will compare to FY (brilliant), AENT (almost as brilliant), and HOB (would probably be my favorite Church album, if not for "this is it"). Thats one of the only songs I have ever deleted from my church ipod collection.

Overall, best album I have heard since Painkiller.

My only serious gripe, no tour stop in Atlanta. thats where i live nowadays, at least for a few more months. Atlanta has always been so good to the church....band could do at least two shows there, and I am sure both would very well attended. But OK, I dont wanna complain about it. Better to enjoy the brilliant new album, and plan my trip to wash dc area.

kevinN