Album Details

• Artist: The Birthday Massacre
• Album: Walking With Strangers
• Label: Metropolis
• Year of Release: 2007
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: digitalbath on 2008-02-29

When listening to a new album by The Birthday Massacre I've come to expect some type of positive progression from the former album to the new release.  The Birthday Massacre has done it again.  Walking with Strangers while still holding onto the foundations it was based upon (metal/electronica) has added a touch of pop music sound to their songs that makes the album much more accessible to a mainstream audience without disappointing their underground fan base.  Though I feel that the pop side is overdone in select songs on the album.

My absolute favorite songs can be found on this album.  Such songs as "Looking Glass" "Red Stars" and "Unfamiliar" hold onto their metal roots within the albums instrumental portion, but the vocals have taken on a much more soothing tone that shows Chibi to sound like she actually has a singing voice.  However, towards the end of the album, The Birthday Massacre embellishes their new-found pop sound a bit too much, making it sound too much like Madita/Imogen Heap/Shiny Toy Guns.  The former majority of the album makes up for their drop-off at the end in a large way though.

In rating this album I have to take into account the fact that my favorite songs are housed within Walking With Strangers while my first disappointments with a band I once held no grudge against are there also.  I would suggest whole heartedly that you purchase this album with no hesitation, but know that the change is a bit overwhelming towards the end.  Even with this disappointment though, I truly believe that no one could possibly be disappointed with the album as a whole, it just isn't their best. 

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