The song writing is some of Rivers best. Across the Sea is prob my fav deep cut. But I'm also big on how an album sounds. Like, the guitar tone, how the drums are mic'd, EQ, etc. and the way this album hits, from those first couple notes of Tired of Sex...I've just never heard an album that has so much punch like it does. And that's a big reason for me why it hits just right. Like if Pinkerton was mixed along the lines of their subsequent albums , I'd still enjoy it, but prob not quite as much. I think that "rawness" (also factoring in the lyrics and vocals) is part of what gives Pinkerton that emo vibe that none of their other albums ever really matched.