I must be missing something. This is the album that critics are giving 5 stars? They talk about a return to form in some reviews? My god, I couldn't be more underwhelmed by this album. image For the record: I think AENT is their masterpiece of the past decade. I think BWTB is a close second. ULTC and FY have great moments, but are too long and hit and miss. Deadman's Hand, Cobalt Blue and especially Happenstance do nothing for me. The only keepers (songs that will probably make it to a Church cd compilation in the future) are Pangaea, Sunken Sun and Operetta. The melodies and hooks on this disc are so understated there isn't anything to sink your teeth into. Nothing as sublime and dreamy as Ionion Blues, Snowfaller, or the divine, Pearls. Numbers, Invisible, Seen It Coming, After Everything, Awful Ache. Where are the songs of this caliber on Untitled #23? Cobalt Blue will not be remembered in the same league as Numbers, Block, Anesthesia, or Snowfaller.

I love the fact the album is generating a buzz and hopefully some healthy revenue for the boys, but this album is about on par with ULTC. The only great thing I can say about the album is that it is short and flows better than most other Church records. Maybe I was spoiled by Painkiller, but Outbound and Crystalline Rush are better than anything on Untitled #23.

I HATE being this negative, but after a dozen listens it just doesn't do it for me.image