Bumping this old topic with something I wrote for a local fanzine. Overall, the album is interesting, definitely a good step up from their last two.
*edit* I was tempted to actually raise the rating, but I usually stick with my first impression. However, if you like the new style, it grows on you.
Quote:
Can you see the storm getting closer now? Opening lyrics of a tempestuous and strong first song, gone are the electro sounds of Assembly, back are the guitars and the piano. The only thing we are not rid of (yet) are the robotized Raymond vocals, but at least they are much more bearable than they were on Assembly. It might be because they fit the heavier sound of Storm. It might be the sweet voice of Nell that smooths the edges. Overall, it sounds more natural than Musique and Assembly were. Make no mistake though... while the guitars are back, it is not a gothic/darkwave sound like Aégis, or gothic metal like their first albums. Actually, the sense of tragedy is not back, but the band did state they would let Liv Kristine's band Leaves' Eyes handle everything that would be gothic.
Nell is a natural evolution to Liv Kristine. Actually, I would say Nell's voice is better then Liv's voice was with Theatre of Tragedy. Sweeter, more suited to those new catchy strong choruses. As I pointed out, the album opens strongly with Storm, the title track and also the first single. Constant throughout the album, those strong catchy choruses, heavy rock guitars and the lingering piano create a truly new sound for Theatre of Tragedy. Lyrically, it is a huge step up from their last two albums. It might not be as deep as their old albums (written for some parts in ye olde english), but that is most probably due to the lighter sound of this album.
It is also the album's biggest failure. While creating a new sound, the album does not have a great range of variety of songs. Most songs still sound the same after 5, 10 listenings. There are no longer songs like ...A Distance There Is..., no slow paced instant classic like Cassandra. The new style flavors short, quick, catchy songs. There are some hints of great things to come, thankfully, if you listen carefully to each songs.
Silence, Ashes and Dreams and Voices all follow Storm without pulling themselves apart from the rest. Mind you, they are good songs, but they don't have anything special, apart from the tiny metallized Nell background before the last chorus of Silence which are a great contrast to the chorus and the last guitar drive.
Fade is the first song to slightly break from the rest, introduced by a piano part with a slower paced tempo that really follows the song title. Nell's voice really feels like it's dragging you quietly with a feeling of disappearance during the chorus. It's the third best song of the album after Debris and Storm. The next song, Begin & End, while most of it is fairly standard, has a very interesting guitar part near the end that almost sound like it was ripped from The Cure, circa their Disintegration days.
Highlights (digipak bonus track) is the perfect example of the commercial idea behind limited edition and digipaks. There is absolutely no reason why it was not on the original release of Storm. It is a good song, following the typical mold set by Storm up to now and its sole purpose is to sell the digipak. Pointless commercialism, a growing trend and an insult to fans. Apart from this shady trend, it is worth buying the digipak over the regular edition for this song.
Senseless, Exile and Disintegration are three other regular songs. Again, fairly good songs, the type of songs you still can't put the right title to it after 20 listenings, but you do remember having heard it. Senseless has a slow dragging pace, Exile has a catchy chorus (did I say that before?) and Disintegration has both, along with a nice guitar rhythm.
And the finale... Debris. The best song on the album, and it leaves a good feeling for things to come. An harpsichord intro, a slow verse and then a stronger chorus than the rest of the album, with Nell almost screaming We're nothing but debris. Theatre of Tragedy are back. It might not be their best album, but it's a definite step up from their previous two albums and a great indication that they are clwaing their way back to the top.
73%
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FAQ
In fact, she even wrote some lyrics (Image, anyone?).
but ToT more than Garbage.
, altough the vocals sucks a bit 
