From: Oardodo@aol.com Subject: Re: Opinions Date: 2/10/2002 7:47:45 PM To: Salonen@aol.com In a message dated 02/10/2002 6:38:31 PM Pacific Standard Time, Salonen@aol.com writes: << Same goes for music. I pity the idiots that actually believe their opinion is somehow more valid than anyone else's. It's a really immature and narrow-minded way to be. >> I agree and want to state out front that I am just an average Church fan with no particular musical credentials, but here's MY OPINION on AENT for what its worth! I got the CD last Monday and am writing this review during my 20th listen: As with every Church release since P=A, I did not like AENT on the first few listens! The first day, I really felt the music was dull, overly cheerless, and nothing really stood out as an exceptional track. I also thought with all the release delays and promotional talk that the boys were going to release a more radio-friendly album, and this is anything but. After many listens, everything started to "click" in place. The songs started to "flesh out" in my mind as distinct tunes, but very much linked to a larger "feel" that permeates the entire disc. Even now, despite having my favorite songs, I still feel AENT only makes real sense as a sum greater than its parts. At the moment, I would place AENT in my top 5 favorite Church CDs along with P=A, Heydey, BC, and SA. I think it is the most beautiful album they have ever made and I think that adjective sums up alot of other Seancers' feelings! I have no hard evidence to support the following, but repeated listening to AENT makes me think: 1. AENT draws on the best musical ideas and production techniques of HOB, Refo, MATS, SA, and P = A . I've also relistened to those other Church works this week and feel the band is trying to perfect the sound they have been experimenting with the past 10 years. And they have succeeded! Strong songs with subtler melodies, ample experimentation,and cleaner,yet lush and layered tones! 2. The old Church and our youth is gone? The sad and somber tone to AENT for ME personally is connected with a sense of mourning for the past and missed chances, but also the necessity of ACCEPTING that situation and moving on with your life! No more Myrrh or Electric Lash.I don't see this as totally a bad thing. Even with all the lyrics of "loss" and "broken hearts" and "petty ambition," Kilbey still offers a vision of resilience to misfortune and salvation through such things as family :" you blew your chance, so face the music and dance";"when you smile, it makes the whole damn thing worthwhile"; "I never said goodbye to my family." For ME, AENT is a universal album, but really directed toward people in their mid-life who need to evaluate what they learned from each stop of the train of life and decide what other stations they want to reach before the final journey's end. Yet again, maybe I'm reading too much into Steve's lyrics! Actually, I know I am. 3. Although I think the Church have finally even beaten P=A with an album that has the most consistant feel throughout, it does not highlight their abilities to make many different styles of music. More than just having more "rocking" tunes, I hope they have the guts to make a disc with many different styles back to back like SA. 4. I do think there are some weak spots on this album and its not perfect. See my separate track by track review! I do agree with Hans that probably only Church fans will give AENT a listen and that is a shame. I'm also giving up the dream of greater mass acceptance for this and future releases. 5. I dislike the packaging! Too bland! The Church has never had fancy covers, but at least most until now have been bizarre , if outright silly(in a charming way). d.o.(oardodo)