WEATHER SYSTEMS

It's been a long time since i've seen people so passionate in their opinions (negative and positive) for an album as they are for this one. It's like long time fans who aren't into the new style have had enough and this album becomes the whipping boy or you hear stories from those who can hardly get through this because of the emotion that they feel. When ANATHEMA got rid of the darkness and melancholy with "We're Here Because We're Here" I was one of the ones cheering on the sidelines at what they had created. It was the darkness and melancholy that I loved about ANATHEMA on albums like "Judgment" and so on, but man when they let in the light I can hardly even express the emotion that came with it. It's a story that is intriguing to say the least, and this change in style has made them very popular.

For me this is a step down from the previous two and it is a grower. So those who are against the original change have used this opening as it were to spit their venom. Their right to do so and we all have our own opinions and tastes. Dave Stewart is back arranging strings.

"Untouchable Part 1" has strummed guitar to start as reserved vocals join in. Backing vocals here too. Drums before 1 1/2 minutes and then it turns heavier 3 minutes in with more passionate vocals. It settles late to end it. "Untouchable Part 2" opens with piano as reserved vocals join in. Female vocals before 2 minutes then strings. It builds including drums and guitar. Nice. It settles back late. "The Gathering Of Clouds" opens with atmosphere then an urgent melody kicks in with male vocals. Female vocals join in too. It blends into "Lightning Song" where it lets up right away. Female vocals before a minute. It kicks in before 3 1/2 minutes. "Sunlight" has these beautiful acoustic guitar melodies with male vocals joining in. Backing female vocals too. It's picking up after 2 minutes then kicks ass a minute later.

"The Storm Before The Calm" is led by guitar and a beat as the vocals come in. It kicks in after a minute as contrasts continue. A calm after 5 minutes. Drums come in and build. Female vocal melodies too. Male vocals before 7 minutes. "The Beginning And The End" opens with piano as the drums join in. Reserved male vocals before a minute. It's fuller after 1 1/2 minutes and it's building. Great sound after 2 1/2 minutes and the guitar lights it up a minute later. "The Lost Child" is orchestral with piano. Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes as the orchestral sounds stop. Piano and a beat help out. It's building before 5 minutes to an intense soundscape with passionate vocals. It settles back a minute later to end it. "Internal Landscapes" has these spoken words from someone who had a near death experience. very cool and emotional. The music takes over 2 1/2 minutes in including vocals. A fuller sound after 4 minutes. So much emotion 6 minutes in. A calm follows as those spoken words return. It ends with a beautiful atmosphere.

I do prefer "We're Here Because We're here" and "Falling Deeper" but I can't give this anything but a solid 4 stars.