This Album is Special
340215
I agree with most of the reviews here without the emphasis on raw.  Raw to me is T-Model Ford. This is not a great raw blues album, this is a great blues album, rowdy and wild.  Recorded in two nights in the Spring of 1971 direct-to-two-track with no overdubs.

Hound Dog Taylor is the master of the slide guitar. And, when you listen to sideman Brewer Phillips play a smokin Telecaster instrumental on Phillips Theme youll hear the roots of hard rock still being played today. But, this was the music being played in the clubs of Chicago back in 71. . .Wow.  This is truly a seminal album that belongs in every blues/rock/guitar slinger collection.
4549146
This is one of the most outstanding albums - I simply adore it.
233679
i just bought this album and have listened to it in the car, carried it into work, and back out into the car for lunch, then back to work for 2 days now.  that is the mark of a great album to me; worth going through the pain of carrying it around with you.  i can't stop listening to it, and i mean the whole thing.  there is no need to skip around, just put it in a push play.  particular favs are "just might have her radio on", "hey batter, batter", and "one wing in the fire."  this is definately an album to buy and not just a song to download because "drunker than me" is not the only cut worth having.
2017501
I've listened to this album well over 200 times. There's something special about it. I can't explain it. You just put it on and it calms you down but it also takes you places. I own all of their albums but this is definitely my favorite. I'd love to see these guys live.
858204
There are few albums that have so many good songs. I love almost every single song on this album. I've already got good mileage out their music.
1341179
I got this album twice over, the iTunes album and the signed CD. Because this album is so special, before I even got to read Maybe Someday (the book). I had already fallen in love with the songs, the lyrics, the feelingthat were pouring out of the songs and into my heart. Now that I have read the book, the album has become even more special to me, they are so beautiful and represent something pureand beautiful as well. This album is a life changer and an experience you cannot miss.

It is simly unforgettable.
1852167
I bought 'Another Language' soon after its release and have listened to it dozens and dozens of time since then. I've listened to it while driving in the car, at home in the morning, at work and on and on. It's one of those albums that has worked its way into that category of albums that most avid music fans have - albums that we can't imagine not having in our lives.  That's how strongly how I feel about this one.

This album can be best described as a perfect blend of post-rock and ambient.  What I hear primarily are keyboards and guitar that are seamlessly blended together and almost indistinguishable much of the time paired up with more traditional drums that provide some rhythm and weight here and there.  The mood is mostly tranquil and meditative, but there are a few little climactic moments throughout.
3117248
I listened to this album a lot the last few weeks when I was driving to my work every morning. There is something special about it, since the melodies won't go from my mind during the rest of the day. In that way, The Gathering has written some very good songs: What I really like about the album is the use of other instruments that have been given a prominent place sometimes, but never exaggerated. I appreciate the return of the heavy guitar parts which I missed somewhat on the previous album.  I love to listen to If-Then-Else at full power in my car, but it's also perfect music to serve to your friends at a lower volume during a moody dinner. If they work a bit more on the guitar solo's and drums they will definitely receive my fifth star for their next album.
1622883
I bought this album in late summer before the commercial aired. When I heard it I knew it was unique. Now that the year end comes I am compiling my favorite list of albums and songs. This one in definitely in my top 5. I enjoyed all but one track and thought the Enstein dubs were great. This CD is full of unique moments only appreciated if you listen with an open mind.
3301585
Love, Love, Love this albumn. Music is very important to me and this music just makes me happy. The voice is beyond belief and the songs are fun and inspiring. I would recommend this albumn to everyone who loves good music.
4812870
I know people aren't as keen on this album as they are on the others but I honestly enjoy it as much, if not more than their other albums. Treat your ears to this album.  You'll be glad you did!
2550481
If you are looking for something to take you out of body, something to  suspend time if only for a few minutes, something to remind you just how  wonderful this illusion we call life really is... Owning this album is a  must.  Don't ask me to classify this album because I can't.  Don't ask me  to describe it to you because it defies what I understand as language.  All  I can say is that this album stirs something inside me, something that  tells my soul that this is what music is supposed to sound like.
4689392
Now, this is really something special.  It has to be said that there are just too many cheap, pop-orientatied solo artists around these days.  But one good thing about this is that it makes decent artists like Tom McRae shine like gold.  I've had the album for about six months, but even up until today (when I decided to offer a review of the album to Amazon), I still find myself sitting down with my guitar and attempting to play along with the wonderful songs.  There is something in the music here that is at the same time touching as it is harrowning.  Some of the lyrics and the singing is so sad, that it can actully feel colder in the room you're sitting in.  I've yet to hear Tom McRae live, but at the nearest opportunity, I will.
The spooky and simple first track, 'You Cut Her Hair', is a good indication of the mood for the rest of the album, even though no two songs are alike.  If the album had started with the more up-beat second track (and single)  'End Of The World News', then the album may have had a deceptive beginning, and the other songs could even be less approachable than they are.  'End Of The World News' is a good song for a hit single, but it's the only one of it's kind on here.  Songs like 'One More Mile' are emotional songs of epic proportions, harking back to stuff like Jeff Buckley (remember him?).  Other songs such as 'Bloodless' and 'The Boy With The Bubblegum' are strong, hard songs held together by nothing more than McRae's piercing voice.  Beautiful and fearful.  My personal favourite on the labum is 'Untitled', which just fills me with imagery of loss and passion, even if the meaning may be lost on me.  I don't know.
I must say that between me and friends who have heard the album, there have been mixed responses.  Many folks I know didn't like the album because they thought it was not especially colourful, or not catchy enough.  I can agree with them there - none of the songs are especially catchy and sing-alongy, especially on the first listening.  But the depth and beauty behind the songs appears over time, as it does with all good music, in my eyes anyway.  The songs do end up in your head as easily as some tune you may have heard on the radio.  But the songs stick in your head and could stand next to whatever memories you have to match them.  If you have a sad memory, you may find a song here that will sit with it perfectly for a long time.  If you have a good memory, you may find a song here that will be the perfect mini-soundtrack for it.  I think that it's plainly obvious that McRae wrote each of these songs around a memory, or an emotion, or an event, and even if that particular situation is not aparent to the listener, the listener's own is, and becomes exhumed by the songs themselves.
Buy this album if you want to find some music that will grab you and really make you feel like there are still brilliant musicians out there.  Musicians writing from the heart.  Musicians writing for the sake of music, not money.
2948354
This album is amazing, please get it if you're a fan, will not disappoint
4171593
This Is Just A Good Album, I Realy Enjoy Listening To It--Whenever---
3330106
I took me a couple of listens to fully appreciate the complexity of this album.  There will be a temptation by some to label this a "disco" or "dance" album.  Let them.  This brilliant  album will be our secret!
3158773
This album has a tendency to grow on you. "Look over your Shoulder" is spooky and wistful. "Cactus boogie" is upbeat and happy like "The Clap". But I've come to really like "All's a Chord" quite a lot. It seems like a huge variety of guitar sounds are in there. And I don't even mind Steve Howe's vocals. It's really beautiful. The last two songs (the classical ones) may be a bit boring for some depending on your mood. Hence the four stars.
These songs are special and unique and are worth having. The album deserves many careful listens.