Let`s call this the rebirth of Stabbing Westward. After the dark, emotional, alternative industrial of "Ungod", "Wither, Blister Burn & Peel" and "Darkest Days" this band has evolved into an alternative rock band. No more angry moments in which the band explodes in heavy and powerful songs. This album is filled with moody and even `almost happy` tunes. The fact that the band hired producer Ed Buller (known from his work with Suede) says all about the direction of Stabbing Westward have taken nowadays. Still, the end result isn`t all bad. The beautiful, clear, emotional and melancholic voice of Cristopher Hall remains one of the best voices in the modern day rock scene and still creates that special atmosphere the band has always had. Songs like opener `So Far Away`, `Wasted` and the emotional, greatly built up song `Television` are reminiscent of the more commercial songs on "Wither, Blister Burn & Peel". It`s a pity though that the lyrical and musical depth of the songs never runs as deep as their previous material. The majority of the songs (for instance `Perfect`, `The Only Thing` and most definitely the `nothing to say song` `Happy`) move along in the same pace, got the same mood and lack the emotion necessary to really pull you into the world of Stabbing Westward.

On the other hand, given some time, "Stabbing Westward" grows on you as an album that`s `nice to listen to`. Let`s call it a lovely album… It`s a label that`s both positive and negative. "Stabbing Westward" never has a really bad moment, but it`s the lack of highlights that "kills" this record. If you especially loved the more commercial songs from the past (especially during "Wither…" - like `What Do I Have To Do?`) or seek a fine, first introduction, then you can safely give this album a chance. But if you thought all the old material was good you might want to leave this album alone to avoid a big disappointment. Hopefully Stabbing Westward will have reinvented themselves next time around like Paradise Lost has done lately, resulting in a more balanced sound between the past and present.