This is an album I've had since initial release. I preordered it from Burning Shed or Headphone Dust, but didn't really get into it until after Hand Cannot Erase. Upon receipt, I read the stories and listened to the songs, but didn't fall in love with it on the surround system I had at the time. After HCE, I went back to this album, having moved and improved my listening environment, and found it was much better than I had thought,
The six songs on this album are great. The production is great. The surround mix is Wilson's best on his own material and may be his best overall, although The Future Bites is close,
From any other artist, Raven, would be the pinnacle if their career, but this is Steven Wilson; Raven has to compete with In Absentia, Fear of a Blank Planet and Hand Cannot Erase. I spent this evening listening to Steven's last fours albums. I still think Hand is the better album, but it is like choosing between which hand you like better, They are both great and I don't want to live without either,
Without question a 10.