Search - In This Moment :: A Star-Crossed Wasteland

Who do you listen to?

S. Deciantis | SC | 07/29/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The reviews I've read for this record have been all over the board. Some think it's worthless and others think ITM has put out their best record to date. So I'll try to stick to the facts and leave opinion out of it as much as possible.

1. This record really is a good mix of their last two records, which are quite different from each other. This includes the fact that there is a mix of screaming and clean vocals.

2. Some of the songs will seem cheesy, mostly lyrically, but even musically (Gunshow, for example), but they DO fit into the overall theme of the album.

3. There is some good songwriting mixed in with some more generic aspects. If you're looking for some kind radical new sound, you probably won't find it here.

4. Building on #3, Maria Brink's screaming vocals have a special kind of emotional intensity. You may not appreciate them like I do, but it's an assault on my ears that I only find in certain bands.

5. There are some more radio-friendly songs on this record - I said "more" - not "completely." This is not automatically a bad thing, unless the band's forcing these out just to try to make radio playlists. Again, judge for yourselves.

6. If you dislike screaming lyrics, don't get this record, and if you ONLY like screaming lyrics, you might not want to get this album.

7. Some reviewers have stated their opinions that ITM is trying to be like Evanescence. I think it's possible they were just experimenting with moving in a direction that melds different aspects of their sound and moves forward in whatever direction it takes them.

8. Some reviewers don't like the mixture of the male/female vocal parts on the record. I like them at some times more than others, but they don't make or break the record for me. Don't just accept it when reviewers say they don't work together - you may love it.



That's enough. After a few listens, and reading numerous reviews, I've decided that this is a good step for ITM. It still feels to me like they're figuring out where they want to go, but it's a fun step in their journey. And the more I listen, the more I understand what they've done, and the more I'm enjoying it. Check it out for yourself."

ITM: A Star-Crossed Wasteland

C. Bach | ILSTU | 07/13/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I believe this album tops anything this band has done. There is an element similar to Five Finger Death Puch here, with their guitar solos. One thing that floored me in the best sense of the word was Maria and Chris's working together. She'll sing, he'll scream; they will switch; they'll duet with him backing her. It is an amazing effect. There is a flavor in their melodic parts that brings back the flavor of their second album. The only thin I looked for is the way she used her voice on the first album, and other than the great use of screaming vocals, I didn't really find it. Her voice, when singing, becomes sweeter on these second and third albums. But this change doesn't detract in any way, shape, or form from this album. It is way over the top of their albums. Isn't there a saying about how the whole is greater than the sum of the two halves? This applies to their two older albums, their flavor and style, and when brought together they produce a powerful masterpiece. The song that I feel epitomizes this is "Iron Army". There is the addition of some excelent orchestra here, reminiscent of the South American band Six Magics."