If I am being honest, I cannot help but feel disappointed :/
Let me break that down before I get flamed.
I know we have all come to BoC through different paths, life circumstances and ages. My first foray into the BoC world was during a pretty rough patch in my life and as cheesy as it sounds, the music made sense to me and stirred things inside that I simply struggle to put words to.
Feelings, thoughts, family, memories, mistakes, childhood, emotions......
The older releases are so very much important to me in this respect, MHTRTC, Geogaddi, IABPOITC etc.
Each and every single one has something, something that I cant explain that makes me go "whoa"....goosebumps, hair standing on end etc. You know the score. One of the biggest hitters for me has to be "Kid For Today". It just makes everything seem......right.
I can (and have done lately in the build up to TH) listened to these on repeat and can do so with ease.
To me, that is the beauty of what these gents do, they can create that familiarity with their work that makes it seem personal. Almost gives the sense that they were around with you when these memories that they are stirring were originally seeded in your mind. Its not art, its not math, its not skill......its fucking voodoo.
Along came TCH which was definitely a change, but a beautiful one nonetheless......Dayvan Cowboy captured both me and my wife's hearts on special drive from LA to San Francisco. Special stuff.
So I know that a lot has changed......I am in a much better place, wonderful wife, kids, home, career......and I am fairly sure the guys have had a good deal of change too, hopefully all good.
But these changes, have definitely changed the BoC sound for me in this album......I know many others will disagree but we all have our own take on things........but there was an awful lot hanging on this album for me and it didn't deliver. I do still like some tracks, Reach for the dead is still lush..........but none of them do THAT thing. You know....the one that you don't know what it is, but want more.
I am fairly sure the hype didn't help, not just the warp hype but also my in built hype.
I do so hope it will grow on me but for what its worth,
none of the albums ever needed to. Not one bit.
A bit deflated but I have enjoyed the ride I have to say and I am chuffed to have been a part of this community while it was happening. That will be one of the biggest wins out of all this for me
Just my opinion of course
J