Review Summary: A more delicate stabbing, feels more than OK.
Music and melodies differ. They vary, should vary, that is what really counts when listening to an album. I have always appreciated the bands who never gives upon what they create (those who don’t give a f**k) but i have always appreciated more, the bands that constantly change their styles slightly or radically… as long as they succeed.
Stabbing Westward, during their fairly long career, have had these slight attemps. Second album was more rock than its prodecessor. Third had the electronic beats along catchy guitar riffs. Last one is gentle, still sincere, while the lyricist of the band is in top form.
The album has ‘atmosphere’. The guitar effects, riffs, the whispering vocals soothe the air. It does not make you feel dirty or unsafe.. the songs put you through in a mellow mood, you might like to sing along but your voice would still be too heavy compared to Chris’. It’s not an autumn album for it’s not that sad. It might rain while you are enjoying the album, snow is acceptable, the weather forecast matters for it is a ‘sit&listen’ album that does not make you want to dance to it. You might like to think. Smoothness might be a soundtrack to the thoughts, you might not have to pay attention to every line, but they sure will take you somewhere. It’s a winter album, don’t get too tense because some songs carry a more Spring feeling, however ‘Happy?’ carries 4 seasons…
Stabbing Westward lyrics have always been direct. They are not disorganised. Every song has its own concept that makes them easy to comprehend, lines that you don’t have to try to figure out what composer means. Well in many circumstances that might look too dull. To me Stabbing Westward is one of those rare bands that can put heavy feelings on more simple phrases.
So far there are not many bands i can enjoy. I don’t expect albums from rock bands nowadays. They lack, in something Stabbing Westward was rich for. Some are too heavy, some are over tattooed, styles are cool but the route is always where the trends take them to.
This is not a Fantastic album, because the band didn’t really mean to compose anything like that. Its not average because there is a fair amount of feelings and nice music in it. Which is adequate.
