This post could probably also be titled "in which I destroy my metal credentials in my first review." Yes my first review is of a gothic synthrock band, and a damn good one at that. I was really excited for this album. I make no excuses about the fact that I like these guys; they've somehow managed to wed 80s gothic rock with slickly produced, pop-infused melodies to create a wonderful texture in each of their previous albums. Sure, they dress like they've raided the nearest Hot Topic, but the music is sincere and impossible to get out of your head. I'm also a sucker for synthesizers (cue "The Final Countdown").

This is their 4th studio release after the captivating Walking With Strangers. In this one, we see them fully embracing their front-woman Chibi as the centerpiece of the band, shifting most of the hooks to her vocal lines. Accordingly, the instrumentation is simplied a bit and moved towards more of a support role. At times, this appears as a stroke of genius. Just check out the absolutely monstrous chorus in the title track. "Shallow Grave" is another high note for this approach. Other times, it ends up with songs that are hard to remember, with "Pale," "Always," "Two Hearts," and closer "Secret" being the prime examples.

As with past albums, this band is at its best when the melody interlocks between the guitars, keyboards and vocals and has a strong forward momentum behind it. "Control," "Midnight," and especially "Sleepwalking" show the band keeping this form of songwriting in their arsenal.

The slick production lends weight to their music. They've gone in a heavier direction with songs like "In the Dark" and "Pins & Needles," and it packs a crisp, crunchy punch. The instruments breathe and have lots of room, which is really important for a band with this type of sound. The synths are ethereal as always, although the atmosphere itself is more pop-laden and less moody. The overall sound of the album is very consistent from song to song. Immediate accessibility was the name of the game on this record.

So does this move towards accessibility work for The Birthday Massacre? On first listen, I thought the answer was a resounding yes. But after listening some more, I have to admit that it doesn't work as often as I would like it too. Scaling back the prominence of the guitars and keyboards in telling each song's story led a loss of some depth in the music. Don't get me wrong, songs such as "Sleepwalking" are very high quality and a pleasure to listen to. But overall I feel like the band lost a bit of its signature sound in this record. Some of the songs lack identity. I enjoy listening to this album, but in the long run I see myself reaching for Violet, Walking With Strangers, and the live album Show & Tell more often than this.

The Birthday Massacre have led themselves to a crossroads with this record. While they could go back to their roots, I believe they'll continue in this direction, so I hope they find a way to keep an identity while pursuing this sound. While the vocalist Chibi is certainly an important facet of their structure, the band should not forget that their instrumentation was what set them apart from their peers. There are still many traces of this on this record, which makes the overall album still very good.

Worth checking out if you're a fan. If you're new to this band, start with Walking with Strangers instead.

Originally posted at The Sonic Spectrum