From: Tony Nelson, tenelson@mac.com
Subject: another seancer review
Date: 2/6/2002 2:44:54 PM
To: seance@lists.no-fi.com



Like many, I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this album. The
reviews seemed to be pretty mixed...though I tended not to worry about
the british press' negative impressions because the Church is definitely
NOT on their A-list at this point. 

After several listens in a variety of situations, some with beer, some
not, I have to say that this is a fantastic album. Overall it has a
profound sadness, but I can't find another common theme. Definitely
better than HOB, but I wasn't a huge fan of that album, as a cohesive
album. Whereas I think this one holds together much better. 

What impresses me most is that there aren't any real attempts at true
single material. Sure, Numbers was ISSUED as a single, but I don't think
it really sounds like one. And with previous albums, there has always
been at least one radio-friendly single: HOB had Louisiana, which to me
sounded like they were trying to updata UTMW, MATS had Comedown, which
as much as I like it, didn't really fit with the album.

This album is simply the church on their own terms, making beautiful
music but definitely not trying to do anything unnatural.  how
refreshing.

Tony