Some of the more theatric/monologue/heavy sections aren't my thing, and it can be a little dense at times. Regardless, a lot of love went into this album! The production and instrumental performances are great, and Raye's voice is top-tier.

The pomp aesthetic and vocals can be a little grating at times, but this is a super solid album. The instrumentals, particularly the keys, are stellar.

Aside from some occasional cool synth parts and vocal lines (mainly on the female vocalist's part), this was a slog to get through. The songs are sparse and boring. The Quiet Parts and ImpetuoUs are both worth checking out, but that's about it. I guess the album art is pretty cool too.

Amazing musicianship, but annoyingly British

Awesome guitar work and production. I had to double check the release year when I heard the verse riff of the title track; super modern and ahead of the curve. The general vibe is a cool mix of Soundgarden, Living Colour, Jimmie's Chicken Shack, and even some Porcupine Tree-isms. The vocal style (a little butt rocky and/or grating, see Shoes and Complain) and song structures aren't my thing, but I understand why this is considered a cult classic.

This shit is ass. 5 points because funny.

Occasionally cringey lyrics aside, I really enjoyed this album. I enjoy the sound experimentation and the vocal performances. I revisit Tarmac, NPC, Straight Through My Head, and Reaper frequently.

Killer sound. First noteworthy drop of 2026 for me.

Gorgeous sounding album. I think it's a little bloated; for me personally, a little bit of refining and sharpening of the longer songs would've made a big difference. Even so, I'll definitely return to this again. I think All It Takes is one of Karnivool's best songs.

This album was a true third-eye-opener for me and it sent straight down the prog metal pipeline. Honestly, I'm not sure if any album in said pipeline as lived up to it yet. Ebb and Flow and The Parable move me deeply to this day.

Super formative album for me as a person, a music listener, and a music creator. This and Language are peak Contortionist, end of story.

Love this one, makes me nostalgic for college (despite the fact that I was in college over a decade after this came out).

My favorite live album of all time. In many ways, I prefer these versions of the songs over the studio versions (though I still like the OGs).

Bland and forgettable at its worst, and kinda catchy in its very best moments.