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A first reason is the changed musical direction. The Gathering have continued in the softer and more laid-back atmospheres of the previous album Souvenirs. It's a move that is obviously not appreciated by everyone. It results in an album with little dynamics: the pace, the volume and instrumentation stays very similar throughout all songs. It brings the Gathering very close to Antimatter, an Anathema spin-off that also abides by similar sultry and moody soundscapes. Also the influences from indie artists like Radiohead, Cocteau Twins and Massive Attack are obvious.

A second reason for the diverging ratings is the inconsistent songwriting. Fans of the style might still love all songs here but the obvious qualities of Alone, Waking Hour, The Quite One and Home are not maintained on the less-inspired tracks around it. In many cases nasty pop modulations in the choruses or song breaks damage the tension built in the verses, Shortest Days and Your Troubles Are Over are sad examples of those.

This album surely isn't the Gathering's most inspired effort, but it has still enough flashes of plendour and a good dose of Cocteau Twins-alike fluffy-frail froths for 3 stars.

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