GAF - yes, I know about Eddie's writer's block, but based on the quality of the lyrics, I couldn't have told. To me, his lyrical low points were on Backspacer, even though I understand the simpler, earthier approach.
All the songs you liked are the more obvious, anthemic rockers (or in the case of Light Years, anthemic ballad), though I like them all (Breakerfall is the only one that I don't listen to all that much - a little obvious). The other tracks take a while to reveal their pleasures, but end up being just as satisfying. Particularly Sleight of Hand - what a song. What a gorgeous sonic landscape that tune is. Parting Ways - the fusion of the guitar, cello, and EV's voice at the end break my heart.
And it's really a headphone album because of the use of binaural recording. There are SO MANY melodic fills and riffs, it's candy to my ears.
Even Nothing As It Seems, which bored the crap out of me in the beginning, has taken on a new life after seeing them play it live on PJ20.
djerdap - Evacuation is AWESOME. Love the shifting tempos and the double-tracked vocals. Great deep album cut.
Honestly, I have a hard time understanding why people look down on this album, especially compared to Yield and Riot Act, which are miles below in my opinion. Yield is still a great album, but Riot Act is really mediocre to me. Very little new or interesting going on - it's like they genuinely sound lost for direction. Thankfully they came out with a much sharper focus on Avocado.
