Incredible music, vocals, and lyrics--it doesn't get better than this
594093
Ten years ago, I sat down in a small family-run restaurant in El Paso, Texas. Playing in the background was some of the most beautiful music I'd ever heard. By the end of that meal, I knew I had to have this music. When I asked the waiter, I learned that the restaurant had the album available for sale, so I bought a copy. This may be one of the best purchases I've ever made in my life. I love this album; it has become my favorite. The lyrics are exquisite and the combination of guitar and violin enchanting. Whether I'm feeling happy or sad, this music always suits my mood and adds a little extra something to my day.

My only sadness is that I have never found another album by the folks who put this together. If any of them are still out there, please tell them they need to do more.
2104848
This is the some of most amazing and fulfilling music ever. The sound enters your ears, then massive amounts of endorphins flow throughout your body continuously through every second as you listen to this  album.
  When the album ends, you play it again, and again feeding your craving, beneficial addiction.
  There are some strong influences from the greats, of the great at their best:{( Yes, Genesis) of which they are easily on a par with.}
  Their style is uniquely satisfying. The arrangements are stellar and very moving

 Johannes Luley's  guitar has much of a Howe/Hackett magic. An
  incredible driving force.

 Tom Lynham `s  Banks/Wakeman-ish style keyboards are perfection in
  tone attack, texture with awe-inspiring hooks.

Ryan Downe's  vocals are heavenly passion, moving in such an
  interesting and complementary melody. He also does a
  great job on bass with the classic Prog tone.
  (Squire/Geddy/Rutherford)..

Matt Swindells `s  drums are solid throughout the odd times with
  excellent placement of accents and fill.

 The interaction of all the musicians parts together form the perfection.  I hear they are already working on a second album presently.  Prog is very much alive. This new Prog band  has a masterpiece on it's first outing. Really looking forward to the next.  With sincere enthusiasm,  kazthebassman
2509797
The Choir has long been the "thinking man's Christian Band".  The lyrics are deep and poetic, the music is sometimes-rocking sometimes-atmospheric, but the whole thing works better than any other band I know.  This cd is a collection of their "Best" up to that point (they have actually since then released "Free Flying Soul" and "Flap Your Wings" which both have some of their best songs on them - their live cd "Let It Fly" is available on Amazon and has some great stuff on it too).  The best songs on here are "A Sentimental Song" and "To Bid Farewell".  Songs that are missing that should have made it on here are "Circle Slide" and "About Love".  Let this be your intro to this amazing band, and then go from here getting everything of theirs you can get your hands on.
752148
Whatever you want to call this kind of music -- the kind of instrumental indie rock that comes from bands like Tristeza and Mogwai, and to a lesser degree Godspeed You Black Emperor! and A Silver Mt. Zion; the kind that displays incredible aesthetic appeal and musicianship; the kind that isn't afraid to rock when rocking is clearly called for; the kind that seems kinda Prog-rock-ish if you don't think about it too much -- this is some of the best of that kind of music you will ever hear. I caught this band live a couple of weeks ago, and they made me a believer. This record is so extremely well done, it makes me wonder why the members of this band haven't all packed it up and gone home, back to more ordinary jobs and more ordinary days, reluctant to try to ever do anything this good again. Because my heart tells me it can't get any better. God help you, less fortunate bands, if you try to release a record in this genre ever again. God help you.
420082
It's hard for me to get all gooey about too many albums, but 30 or 40 years from now, I'll be playing this for my grandkids and I'll blow their mind.

Super groups are usually less than a sum of their parts. OSI is arguably far more than the sum of their parts, and this album is breathtaking. Moore is a genius, and his influence is felt in every second of this album, and the percussion, in particular, sounds like Mike Portnoy's body was hijacked by a keyboardist. Did Matheos's guitar work, and what you get is a completely unique and highly imaginative album.

Besides, this is one of the best lines I've ever heard: "got another flag here, says my mailman. Maybe someone stole yours from your door." Smile inducing, even 9 years later.
3306403
Even though I've heard many of the songs from this album over the past 18 months, this is the first time since Depeche Mode's 'Violator' that I've listened to a new release from beginning to end about 20 times without skipping a single song.  This is a truly amazing album.  The vocal layering, the instrumentation, the timing, and the flow is all perfect.

I think we are witnessing the start of a brilliant career for this band.  Even though they have been buzzing in the indie scene for quite a while, the excitement is still there.  If you are a fan of great vocalists, you WILL love this album.  Dan Smith leads this group with foresight and savvy, and his last name even hints at some irony.

Buy this album, put on your headphones and get lost for a good hour.  Just make sure you have time to do it all again, immediately.
3363476
This CD blows me away. Every song paints a picture and has a life of it's own.  Lindy's vocals are incredible and his writing is stylish and original.  There are some immediately catchy tunes on here as well as ones that take a few listens to really "get".  Every possible emotion is experienced while listening to this CD.  "Beautifully Undone" is the most amazing song ever written and performed in the history of songwriting and performance.  "Dream" is one of those catchy songs you play over and over and over again until you wear it out.  This guy is so frickin' talented it's scary!  I've never been inspired to write a CD review in here before, but people HAVE to know about this guy and hear this CD.  It's going to land on a lot of "Best CD of the year" lists.
1622661
this album is so damn amazing, i just don't know what to say.  every single song can be a hit.  the beats, the vibes, all seem to come together in such perfect harmony that by the time you finish listening to the songs, it seems more like poetry than anything else.
i've been listening to this album for more than a year now and it still hasn't gotten old.  the song NYC is so haunting, yet so beautiful.  the way he describes the city in such vague terms only signified the problem i've always had regarding the big apple: its so vast, so diverse, yet...i've never understood it.  its endless.
2759219
Incredible lyricism, head bangin production and a few guests who actually keep up. You need more?!
632694
I took a chance on this album and boy, am I glad I did!  When I previewed the tracks, I only got to track two before I said, "I HAVE to have this!".  That song, "Your Mistakes" is one of the best songs I have EVER heard.  The singing, playing, and harmonies are incredible!  Since I got the cd I've played the whole cd probably 30 or 40 times, but "Your Mistakes" I've played nearer to 200 times.

The whole album is great.  The lyrics are brilliant and the musicianship stellar.  If it sounds like I'm giving it a lot of praise, I am, but it's justified praise.  This album is rock/country rock at its finest.  Pick it up!
1272039
This CD is incredible. I happened to catch the tail end of their "Hanging" video one day and made a mental note to search out their CD. I had no idea what a goldmine of music it was to be. From the opening track to the last spin of the disc, this captures what music should be- riveting melodies enhanced by thoughtful lyrics. I find it difficult to compare it to other groups currently out there,as I truly think they're head and shoulders above the rest. To name a favorite song is difficult,because literally every one is memorable-but, "Breathing" has got to get some air time out there. I have not taken this out of my car CD player for over 1 month now.
4434338
This album is faaaaabulous. It took about 12 listenings to finally get the feel of it the new sounds, but it was well worth it. Contrary to many comments, I think there are many "hooks" on this release that can lodge in your head for days. I think the highlights are the following: "When the World Ends" is one of the catchiest tunes. It's a sexy little number has an unforgettable R&B backbeat between the choruses (Stefan's bass is very prominent and awe-inspiring on every song). The imagery is riveting and the sheer fun of hearing the whole band go "Your legs don't work cuz you want me so, you just lie spread to the wall..." is worth the album price alone. Additionally, Dave's voice, which is smooth and has amazing range on every track, seems to morph into those of other distinctive singers throughout the album, and in this tune, at times his voice sounds a lot like the appealing drawl of Soul Coughing's M. Doughty. "The Space Between" is a classic and catchy love song that will probably appeal to people of all ages. Some of the lyrics are truly beautiful, like "The space between your heart and mine is the space we fill with time." "Dreams of Our Fathers" has a great opening riff, kind of power-rock Def Leopard (in a good way), driving, intelligent, rythmic lyrics a melodic chorus. In the middle at the "Rain on me" part, it seems as though Dave somehow channeled Eddie Vedder with all the awesome angst-ridden glory comparable to Pearl Jam's "Black." "What you Are" will surely please fans of "The Last Stop" and possibly "Don't Drink the Water" from BTCS. It's an epic and intense song with a middle eastern flair and a charged, gristly, occasionally erotic, chorus. "Sleep to Dream Her" is phenomenal and quite different from the other songs (they are all distinct, but this one especially so). The turns of phrase ("I know I'll miss her later. Wish I could bend my love to hate her. Wish I could be her creator. To twist her arms now")are not only clever, but they rhyme and are puntuated by Dave's tinny plucking of the electic guitar and Carter's interesting drumming pattern. The chorus on this song affords more instrumental meandering of LeRoi's gorgeous sax and Boyd's haunting violin. The whole song has an intriguing and vaguely evil-lullaby feel to it. "Everyday" is the old-school DMB song on this album. The acoustic guitar returns and the has an irrisistable beat and gospel influence that creates the happy feet, throw your hands up in the air and rejoice feel like "The Best of What's Around." I think it will be an incredible, tears-of-joy-jerking show closer and the song you're most likely to catch yourself singing in the shower.
4674034
the vocals are amazing, simply. i have never heard such emotion put into  the music (especially by dream theater) ever before. the whole thing is  like a play or something, with different scenes. this is something that  should not be missed. song ratings:
regression-3/5:  all about dreaming.  listen to the sample, it'll help. don't worry, the rest of the album isn't  like this.
overture 1928-5/5: the guitars here are excellent, sounding  kind of hopeful, but very hard edged. i like the background synth noise as  well. great song.
strange deja vu-5/5: this song freaks me out. the  lyrics are scary, the guitars are quirky and weird, and there are strange  little sounds in the back to back this up. i love it. not for listening to  in the dark.
through my words-5/5: soulful, this song is really melodic  and should be listened to with care. it is really good, but yet very  tender, not a huge arena rock song like overture 1928 for example. it is  still good though.
fatal tragedy-5/5:  this is the best stuff they have  ever done. the soaring vocal is at it's climax of the cd here, and the  guitar is just fabulous. you have to hear this. a masterpiece.
through  her eyes-4/5: good vocals here too, but i don't like the guitar as much as  on the rest of the cd. not for me, but very listenable. the end is good  though.
home-5/5: great, simply. you really have to listen to find out.  nothing much else, except that i love the guitars here.
dance of  eternity-5/5: an epic. great vocals, piano, and guitars, plus a few extra  things you're bound to notice. one of my favorites on this record.
one  last time-4/5: good, but i feel like there's something lacking. it's good  too, but kind of serves as filler. there's more to come, though.
the  spirit carries on-5/5: the second best song on the cd. wonderful vocals,  guitars pushed to the extreme...it's like nothing you've ever heard before.  you have to experience it.
finally free-4/5: at this point, you don't  want the cd to end. it is the last track and you'll be left begging for  more. don't worry, dream theater has more releases.
overall, i would  recommend it to anyone. it is a good record and should be liked by most  people. however, you may want to buy some of their older material  first...just a suggestion.
1318694
Alison's incredible voice highlights the extraordinary ensemble of songs  the are woven into a beautiful emotional story. The haunting story unfolds  from song to song going from initial break-up to semi-reconcilliation to  final resignation. As in all true art, words cannot possible describe what  Alison has put together in this album. This masterpiece transcends any  ordinary definition of music. It must be heard to be understood. ( and  heard and heard and . . .)
1392183
Recently discovered this band and I must say this is something special!  At age 48 I have heard so much stuff and over the past years I thought I had just gotten too old (as it would be presumptuous to claim that modern music is going nowhere fast).  So for those that listened and still listen to Prefab Sprout, Joy Division and even New Order, for those that enjoyed Echo and the Bunnymen's Heaven Up Here, well, check out these kids from Canada.  It might just blow you away.  Yes, the production is not always perfect, but these issues are just dwarfed by the great lyrics and the excellent timing of each element in the compositions.  If you want to try it out with a download of a song or two, I suggest that you go for:
1. No cars go
2. Keep the car running
3. Antichrist television blues
4. Windowsill
Each of these songs have different elements to them and the lyrics on Windowsill just freaked me out ("you can't forgive what you can't forget")!
Enough already, have to get back to my iPod and this "urgent" music.
2260841
I bought this CD today, its first day of release and I am so impressed! The songs are fantastic, the vocals are awesome, and the horns sound better and better every song. I think that this record far surpasses anything they've done in the past by far. Even the CD case rocks! Buy this CD!
3438561
There's nothing to say about this album that hasn't been said 100 times before. Incredible, amazing, awesome, yes. All of those and more.
1. Strength Through Wounding - To be honest, this did freak me out a little. The chant of, "Through our bleeding, we are one!" is more than a little creepy. This is the only track on the album that I always skip. 5/10.
2. Porphryia - Sick. Incredible song. So amazingly fast, and yet so beautiful in a way. Such a good song, I don't know what else to say about it. 10/10.
3. Exsanguination - Doesn't quite measure up to Porphyria, but it's still really good. Starts off a bit slower, but finishes blisteringly fast. Not one of the higher points on the album, but still good. 8/10.
4. Malleus Maleficarum - The song that finally convinced me to buy this album. That being said, you can gather that it is amazing and definitely one of the best songs on the albums. The chorus is mind-blowing. The song is incredible. 11/10.
5. Narrative of Soul Against Soul - Somewhat poppier than the rest if my memory serves me, but even so, incredible. The chorus is good, but the verses are terrific. 8/10.
6. Clove Smoke Catharsis - One of the slow songs on the album. Don't let that throw you off though. The lyrics are very poetic, the song is very melodic, and Davey Havok's incredible voice really makes this a standout. This really shows you that fast is not always better. 11/10.
7. The Prayer Position -  This song is pretty good. The verses are alright, but it's the chorus that really grabs you. I think there are even some major chords in this song. One of the better songs, but not a real standout. 8/10.
8. No Poetic Device - One of my favorites. Hardcore. That's probably why I like it so much, it's heavier than the rest of the album. There's also a great verse where Davey Havok is not screaming, but singing. Definite standout. 12/10.
9. The Last Kiss - This is labeled on the back of the CD as "Weathered Tome," but the titles are just switched around. What can I say, this is one of the first AFI songs I ever heard, that led me into hearing more of the band. An absolutely incredible song, probably my favorite. Still blows my mind every time I hear it. 15/10.
10. Weathered Tome - A good song, very fast. The bridge and the chorus are the best parts. Not a real standout, however. 8/10.
11. At a Glance - Another good song, nothing too special, but still very good. 8/10.
12. God Called in Sick Today - One of the most hauntingly beautiful songs I have ever heard. Davey Havok never sounded better, the instruments never blended so well together...I can't rave enough about it. Probably the best song on the album, one of AFI's best songs ever. Still gives me chills every time I hear it. Absolutely beautiful. 15/10.
As you've seen, this album is definitely a must-have. The lowest grade I gave was an 8 out of 10 (except for Strength Through Wounding, but I only gave that a 5 because it scared me), and many of the songs rank higher than a 10 in my opinion. Maybe AFI's best album; if not, certainly one of the best. You're crazy not to like this, you're crazy not to own this. Buy it, lift it, burn it, download it, whatever. Get it.