Hand.Cannot.Erase is my absolute favorite Steven Wilson album. I've listened to The Future Bites several times in stereo and can't imagine the surround mix changing my opinion (damn you DHL). This is the release that rechristened my interest in Steven Wilson. I had been purchasing his deluxe edition since Insurgentes but not quite connecting with them ("I'm a collector"). I liked Insurgentes, had problems with Grace Before Drowning (and still do) and liked The Raven, HCE hit me from the first moment I put it in my player. It hit me so hard that I sat down a few days after receiving it to absorb it as intended.
The entire package is extremely well thought out. I was listening to the disc and going through the book at the same time and found that I was able to absorb all of the artifacts in time with the songs and find the lyrics to the song that was just starting in the diary, then find more engrossing material. It was a true multimedia experience. One that made me go back and reevaluate Raven, and judge it a nearly equal achievement.
The sound quality and mix are astounding, Wilson at his peak. I saw him on this tour and again on the 4-1/2 tour, which had much the same song selection. I will not miss seeing him in the northeast.
This album connected with me on many levels, and is one I return to often. An interesting connection is the HBO show The Leftovers, "Routine" is an episode of the show.