[holden]

Was waiting for physical CD to have a nice first listen, but delayed US delivery, so...had a streamed listen.

First, very undeveloped impressions: that was some experience, hearing the album front to back, familiar songs with a ton of unheard-material. Overall positive, excited by the sounds and experiments, not too shocked and no skippers...in fact, more eager to hear it all again and form better opinions!

The run from opener "Black Poppies" through "King of Haarlem" sounds fantastic, energetic, epic, quintessential, still forward-loving...

End tracks a bit more "out there", and rough, but having lived through the "Drift" experience, it kind of makes sense. Closer "Stick Man Test" is beautiful, warm vibes and callbacks to many reference points along their career.

The spoken word on "ottavia" is maybe the bit that stands out as less successful on first blush, but i'm sure i'll change my mind!

Agree with other posters that this is probably the most enjoyable first listen since "The RiverRun". Much as i like aspects of "OWB". "Barking", "BBWFASF", and "Drift", they all in their own way seem disjointed or a little too much filler. "Strawberry Hotel' just seems more deliberate and cohesive, y'know?