Complete Tracks
Album Information
The general consensus is that Stabbing Westward is ripping off Nine Inch Nails, but upon closer inspection you will probably find they owe more to the British synth-poppers Depeche Mode than anyone. This is especially true on the "emotional" synth-bass of "What Do I Have to Do" and the alien landscape sounds of "Sleep." Is a critic's reasoning, "Oh well, who remembers synth-pop anyway? Let's just say they sound like Nine Inch Nails and nobody will care..."? Sure Christopher Hall writes depressing lyrics and sings in a way reminiscent of Trent Reznor, but the question is, are they a good band? The answer is both yes and no. They appear to want to be a good band but are held back because they let themselves succumb to many musical clichés and formulas. With Whither Blister Burn And Peel, they've lost the creative spark they had with their first album, Ungod, and any potential that had been amassed. They can keep this up though, just as long as it continues to sell.
All songs written by Stabbing Westward
Produced & Engineered by John Fryer at Bearsville Sound Studios in New York in May 1995.