An ambitious record and one that is well seated within my sonic wheelhouse, I can't help but to now look back on one of my favourite albums from my late teens with a more critical ear. Don't get me wrong, I love the high concept and aim of it all, Japanese folklore told through Midwest baroque indie sensibilities — what could be more perfect? Well, I suppose its execution and quality could have used some more work. Does it hold up? Kind of. The sound of it all is somewhat undercooked — the brass lines and the unkempt vocals are such a specific sound, that I think it really landed for only a handful of people. I, fortunately, was one of those who felt that Floating World was the hidden gem of the 2000s. Unfortunately, there's a fair bit of musical concern now coming back to it in 2022. My ears prick up, wishing it would be able to escape the time in which it was created. The piano mix and the guitar timbre make me wince, not to mention the second half of 'Hanasakajijii (2: Floating World)' and those circus counter lines in 'By Number' has always felt a bit unnecessary. The same can be said about gang vocals and drumline-esque sections, they all point to a naïve band kid sensibility. There was a contemporaneous review of the album from Pitchfork, where it was given a paltry 2.7. Mark Hogan's review described it as 'comically overwrought', and you know what, I'm sadly begining to believe him. I still think there are many beautiful lines and interesting elements within the nearly-hour duration, but there are equally as many painfully sincere moments that could easily come off as awkward and cringey. So it goes. I will tuck this record away as a personal pleasure, but I won't be bringing it out at my next party. I would like to reimagine the album with a different vocal approach and instrumentation, as well as cleaner mixing/mastering — an improved version of the rough draft that came out sixteen years ago. We'll never know what that would sound like, but it I will always think of Floating World with fondness, regarless of its blemishes.