I ordered SOBTO not having read these posts (don't know how I missed them). I'm one of the other fans who hasn't liked all the recent albums but I got an immediate sense of connection with the samples for this album.
Now, as I'm waiting for it to find it's way Stateside, I'm intrigued after reading the series of posts relating to this album.
I welcome
well-argued negative comments as it makes me feel less of an outsider when it comes to my own views. I'm OK with keeping my mouth shut if I have nothing to add to the conversation and I'm also OK with the realization that I'm not going to like everything Bill does despite the fact that I felt like one of the only devoted fans through the wilderness of the early 90s.
What I felt when not enjoying albums such as Golden Melodies was a disappointment in myself and a strange sort of feeling of being a traitor. I couldn't understand why I was missing the point of Bill's work that I'd adored for so many years.
Despite the lack of connection with some of Bill's work, I view this site on an almost daily basis and maintain a huge respect for an artist of such huge ability, humility and intelligence.
I recently found a used copy of Gleaming Without Lights at my local CD store, and was completely blown away once again by Bill's articulate performance and clever arrangements and that led me to order a couple more CDs from SOS. Let's see if I can get back on the beam.