Hard rockin’ Goth’s Stabbing Westward return
with their self-titled album on Koch Records. All we have come to know
and love about this group is here. They provide enough power to get their
point across without diluting the overall melody, it’s a perfect balancing
act between the two. In fact, the move to Koch seems to be just what the
doctor ordered.
On this CD they have really honed their
writing skills, providing 10 unique songs that can stand on their own.
The songs differ enough from each other without sounding redundant, but
still manage to keep that classic Stabbing Westward feel. If you
liked their previous work, this one is a bit different but still right
up there with the best of them! If you are a fan of alt-rock with a heavy
Goth/Industrial edge this album will provide a great introduction to Stabbing
Westward.
(personal aside) A couple
of hours after writing this review I was looking through the entertainment
section of the local paper (Orange County Register) for movie listing and
let me fingers wonder over to the music review section. Staying in character
the bozos at the Register trashed this disc. I generally don’t pay attention
to what this rag says, but this review was so off base, it made me wonder
if the reviewer even listened to the CD or just saw that it wasn’t a Rap
or R&B CD and decided to trash it. Reading this just made me
look deeper at how I approach reviews. I look beyond if I personally like
the music or not and examine the musicianship, songwriting and if the songs
are strong and that’s what I base my reviews on. In this case, I found
that Stabbing Westward had actually improved in all of these areas from
their last album and as an added bonus I genuinely liked the music. I realize
that this style of music isn’t for everyone, but this example just goes
to show you how subjective music reviews are; you can get two totally different
opinions on the same album. So the bottom line is, you can read my review,
which is all well and good--you keep me happily employed but I urge you
to click on the link at the bottom of the page and listen to the song samples
and hear it for yourself. That’s why we include those links, so you have
the opportunity to listen to the songs and decide if it’s for you or not.
If you like it, like I did, then you should buy the CD. If you don’t, well
you took a few minutes out of your life giving some new music a try.
It’s too bad that my local newspaper doesn’t give their readers the same
option. Then again, if you read thier reviews often enough you come to
realize that the writers there don’t have a clue. Ok now go listen
to those tracks and then post your reactions below! aG
Posted by Tarzan:
stabbing westward has been one of the most interesting bands in the scene. it's very sad that they didn't get the attention they deserved. they split up and they will be no next album. r.i.p. !!
Posted by Chamooze:
This album is good, very good even! The songs are very strong by themselves and make up a quite decent overall feeling, but nothing can compare to the overwhelming emotional experience of listening straight through Darkest Days after a bad day. I imagine SW will go through a similar phase that Metallica did with their own self-titled album (coincidence? who knows?): They attract a lot broader listening audience, but disappointing some of their older "hardcore listeners". I guess only time will tell.. No matter the case, SW did a great job on this album.
Posted by SW superfan:
I love stabbing westward, and this is an entirely new sound from them. I like it in a different way, its a more relaxed, alternative feel. Hopefully, for the next album, they'll try some industrial metal again.
Posted by ultraeviljesse: i agree with coaltrain this is my fave.
cd of 2001 and they have been my fave. band ever since i heard "shame"
on MTV wither blister burn and peel is a great cd too and im into metal
and i love screaming and i hate all the pop shyte but they do a fantastic
job ... i love the cd even though its kinda poppy
Posted by
Kra3zymike: Stabbing Westward has done with this album
exactly what artists are supposed to do. They have evolved musically. Congradulations
to the band on making a kick @ss album.
Posted by
metal: It's not bad, but it's not Stabbing Westward
that I know and love. Not nearly as heavy, angry and tormented... what
kind of SW album is that???? It's poppy and he doesn't scream. Not bad,
but not what I want to hear from SW. Rather disappointing.
Posted by
Coaltrain: I have to say that this is definitely
one of the best albums of 2001.
Posted by
disco stef: It's awesome album from beginning to end.
Go get it, or be smited by my power!
Posted by
mudraven: It's ok but I like Darkest Days better.
Posted by
Converted: My girlfriend played this CD while we
going to a party and I was like who is this it rocks? When she told me
it was Stabbing Westward I almost fell out of car. The next day I went
and bought the CD. The writer is right them moving to an indi label was
the right move!
Posted by
Lynch: Great CD! I never like them prior to this
disc. They have made great a great leap into great music.
Posted by
Mitchell on Demand: I listened and liked what I heard. I've
always thought this band was a NIN ripoff but I it didn't sound like once
I listened.
