The Light of Things Hoped For chronicles the crew of the U.S.S. Gloria (Roper, Culp, Hoerig, Verdecchio) as they continue their study of the moons of Saturn. As the album begins, the crew has just received the command from Mission Control to return home. The mood quickly changes, however, as complications arise. Gases are emitted from the Gloria, sending the ship careening into the eclipse of Titan, Saturn's largest moon. Communications cut out, and all seems to be lost. The crew reflects on what had happened and what they had lost, drawing the comparison of being away from the light of Christ. The album ends in a series of radio transmissions between the Gloria and Mission Control, and the U.S.S. Gloria emerges from the shadow of Titan and into the light, once again drawing the comparison between the Sun and Christ and the light He brings.
HM gave the album a positive review, saying it has a more serious focus than the band's debut, and shows growth in vocal and musical depth as well.[2]Allmusic called it "a universe of soaring vocal harmonies and sugary pop hooks", praising the use of sound samples and the absence of preaching in the lyrics.[1]
Tooth and Nail edited two tracks on the album without the band's permission. On the song "Enamel" a record scratch covers the end of the line "When you hear this song, I hope it hurts like Hell." Edits on "Heart Still Beats" cover the word "pissed" and the line "Go to hell."
Unedited versions of both tracks have been leaked to the internet. If the CD is ordered from Brave Saint Saturn's online store, they will email the unedited songs to the purchaser.
The song "Titan" is introduced by a clip of the computer WOPR asking "Shall we play a game?" from the film WarGames.
The song "Estrella" was written by Reese Roper in his basement about his 25-year-old friend, Matt Estrella, who suffered from Neurofibromatosis 2 and died a year before the album came out.
