TERRIA

it seems as if this is an album you love or hate, not much middle ground. you either understand the music/ the music understands you, or if flies right over your head, a completely incomprehensible wall of sound and noise. these claims have some merit and I can understand some of the complaints about this album but certainly not all of them, which is problably due to the fact that i sit in the first category. the music speaks volumes to me, convays a sense of grandure and beauty that i have heard or felt in very very few albums. I asolutley love his use of layering, and feel that it helps unify the sounds of the different instruments into a solid slab of music. I like to think of it as a wave, huge and massive rising to huge massive heights, then cresting, coming crashing down to beautiful lows and subtleties. its always majestic, sometimes scary, and all encompasing. its hard to ignore this music. Highlights, Deep Peace, Tiny Tears, and Down and Under, at least for me. The guitar solo and breakdown in Deep Peace is one of the most moving i have heard. please please give this disc a try and at least see where you fall. If you cannot understand it, there is no loss. its a shame but you cant force music on anybody, particularly music as dense as this. But if you find that it speaks to you, that you understand townsend, then you are in for one of the most rewarding musical experiences you could ask for. 5 stars, without a doubt a masterpiece.