First off, keep in mind that that reviewer has had positive things to say
about prior SDRE work, so I don't think it's a case of him being unfamiliar
with them or "not getting it." I just think he doesn't like the new stuff. If
you hadn't noticed, that's how it is with a lot of us. I completely agreed
when he said, "For the benefit of audiences, songwriters in emotional bands
are best left in states of emotional turmoil. Sadly, Enigk seems to be
generally comfortable with himself. That's no fun." That sums up my
disappointment with the new material. I'm just not as moved by Jeremy telling
me through an effects box about how bad greed and the destruction of the
enviroment is as I was by his prior slurred shouts of personal conflict. It's
not that I don't like the idea of the band going in new directions -- I loved
Return of the Frog Queen even though it was a totally new direction. It's
just when I hear the new stuff I don't feel that this is music or lyrics that
the band is dying with a burning passion to express. To me, it sounds more
like material written out of boredom/obligation. I'm wrong a lot of the time
and if the new stuff floats your boat, more power to you. But I don't think
I'm alone and if you get bothered reading opinions like that guy's review,
you may want to avoid this list for a while.
xoxo,
Mike
