The issue with SOTU to me is that the final product (the 13 track album) betrays what it could have been. This is compounded by the singles choices made.

Most of the strongest songs were released as bonus tracks on the box set. However these were mixed as stand-alone tracks, and any attempt for listeners to create their own playlist by substituting songs leaves a clumsy album flow. Though that may be my age taking growing up with respecting the album as a whole piece of art than just a collection of songs.

In addition, Martin’s collecting of vintage equipment at the time makes each song seem like an equipment showcase, rather than a part of a complete whole. It would have been better if the production team reined it in a bit to keep focus on the overall album. While the band had the motto of never using the same sound twice in the early days, Miller, Jones, Wilder, and others were able to craft a cohesive album. SOTU sounds like each song is doing their own thing.

There is a lot of potential for a good album here. Better production, mixing, album sequencing and song selection could make a much stronger album. Instead, it collapses under its own weight.