Customer Reviews

The Damage

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've been a fan of Tapping the Vein for some time now, ever since first hearing their music [...] and seeing their live shows. It was quite a thrill to finally buy their first full-length album, and it was well worth the wait. This is a band with the right mixture of musical talent and emotion to make it big in the gothic/electronic scene. [...] and adding in their own touch of melancholic beauty, they've created an album that is bound to satisfy. The reworked version of "Butterfly" takes the original and ups the musical ante, using more sonic experimentation and just improving an already wonderful song. The same can be said for "Beautiful," "Everything," "Broken," and "Falling In," all songs from the previous two EPs that gave the band a name. Aside from that, we have six new songs that show the band continuing on the path that their fans know and love, while at the same time expanding on it. The electronics are lush and even more present, but without overpowering the organic element of the band members. The music is moody, but it is real and not contrived like all the "woe-is-me" electro-gloom bands in the genre. And then there's Heather Thompson's amazing voice. She can carry the softest notes with such sweetness before going into a wailing scream. My new favorites on this album are "Sugar Falls" (a song that reminds of latter-day Cure), the title track, and "Hurricane." The album artwork is a great visual effect as well, slightly reminiscent of designs used by Projekt bands like Attrition. Tapping the Vein are sure to take their place among the gothic/electronic elite. They have the musical chops, they have the attitude, and above all...they are just that damn good. Give it a listen...you won't regret it.

Tapping the Vein successfully recreates the studio sound when playing live. Every band in the do-it-yourself arena could take a page from the book of this quartet, to learn what it is like to be among the hardest working rock bands to grace the planet in decades. Despite their continued growing popularity, the band members remain humble and extremely close to their fan base, which only endears them even more to the throngs who have come to love them and their music.

Doe eyed beauty, Heather, is the front woman who caresses our ears with lyrics that are at once seductive and then fiery. She can deftly pull you in then hurl you out into the stratosphere with the drive and energy that comes from each note in her blessed tiny throat. Her range can go from seductive kitten to fiery dragon in a split second, which often surprises and delights those who hear the band for the first time.

Now recently signed to the Nuclear Blast label, they are not hurting for work by any stretch of the imagination. Wherever they play, they sell out the venue and pack them in until it is standing room only which includes the tops of the tables if necessary. Their fans are legion and loyal from one state to the next and is growing faster than a virus in an enclosed space.

Tapping The Vein stretches each range of tragic emotion on every recording and delivers it without wallowing in murky pity party type of sounds. The rock is edgy yet danceable. The lyrics are poetic and painful, and the vocalist is a true Diva if ever there was one. Having had the good fortune to watch this band play live, it is uncanny how Heather imbibes the character for each song and delivers a new persona with each one. She does not utilize flashy costume and makeup changes. In the blink of the eye, she pulls some inner switch to become one with the song. The skill with which she accomplishes this makes you *think* there was a scene and costume change.

The four members that make up this band demonstrate a tightly knit camaraderie where each will work off the others energy in order to involve the audience. Whether you hear them on CD or see them live, you are immersed for a time into their world and truly will come away grateful for the experience of such deft musicianship. It is only a matter of time before this band is a major phenomenon.

I've been reading through the reviews of this album, and I've had a few good laughs. The things people get offended about... There are those who see the Nuclear Blast label, and expect something very specific, in terms of the musical style. Well, Nuclear Blast has every right to sign different acts, and you have every right to choose whether or not you listen to them. Who buys music just because it's on specific label? I choose to listen before I buy, unless I know the band well in advance.

Enough moralizing. I listened to this album online some years back, and I've wanted it ever since. The sound is very much like Kidneythieves, mixing goth-ish rock with electronica and indeed pop. I believe that's why some people won't like it, since it's rather hard to place. But it happens to fall well within my taste. The lead singer Heather has a very interesting voice, which is often rather beautiful, but also powerful and slightly awkward at times. To me, that makes for a very interesting listening experience, and I feel that the band would be a lot less interesting without her. The musical arrangements are not *that* fantastic, apart from a few songs like "Butterfly," but her passionate, penetrating voice elevates this band above the masses.

In short, if you're thinking of buying this just because it says "Nuclear Blast" on the cover, give it a listen first. This is not a goth metal act. But it is a fine example of dark electronica with goth *rock* elements, and a band that deserves some more recognition.

Tapping the Vein's first full-length album, The Damage, is just unquestionably beautiful! It has the ability to fill you with real, pure emotion, something which is so rare and precious in this day and age. This album is a true measure in contrasts: catchy for when you don't want to think and powerful for when you do. There is something to be gained from every listen... this is something that simply cannot be missed.

I was immediately thrown into this album from hearing the chorus break of an early version of "Butterfly": "What am I? / I wish I was a butterfly..." Heather intoned, her voice and the mysterious piano layer beneath it literally haunting my dreams for that night. On top of that, the lyrics were just awesome: "I'd be / anything... / anything other than the things I have been... / I'd slip right out of my skin / so I wouldn't have to do it again..." That was enough to make me realize I absolutely had to own this album... and I was not disappointed!

Heather's voice can sweep every emotion in a second; from pure, visceral anger to a quiet, wistful disregard, it's all here. Her portrayal of the human psyche is truly commendable; one feels that they know EXACTLY what she's singing about, and then she screams that "You don't know the darkness like I do." Admittedly, Damage will make you THINK... and that is the mark of a truly great album.

Backing her voice is a swelling collection of rock and electronica that perfectly fits this razor-sharp edge between happiness and anger, between joy and sadness, between euphoria and frustration. After experiencing the songs on this album, one finds themselves coming away with an unbelievable change in awareness-- it's that powerful, and Heather's voice is that moving.

The Damage is a dark album, there is no question about that. But its darkness is so beautiful, so exuberant and so alive with possibility that it is hard not to fall in love with the unbelievable sound that is Tapping the Vein.

HIGHLY recommended!

Tapping the vein is one of 3 best bands i've ever heard.That's all i have to say;that they are not trying to make listeners or producers happy with their music;they just share their emotions in a really artistic,powerfull way.

All the songs in the album are dark and mournfull,although the vocalist;Heather;never goes into silly brutal vocals.Her voice is not so good,but definetely strong and unique;and great at translating her feelings;and especially the burning feeling in her emotions.

the album reaches to s many places and tastes.opening track; ledge,is a far cry from the rest of the album;it is much more positive;although it is not so positive at all.The following two tracks;butterfly and sugarfall;lack some powerfull climax to end the song;so it is easy to have a wrong opinion about the band by listening the album in order.

The album starts to show its potential in track 4 and the quality of the songs rise from that point;to the climactic closure with falling in;which is also a far cry from the rest of the album;whether it's music or it's dominant emotion;and it is much harder then the rest of the album.Feels like the band tried to make a depressive;but easy to listen album;but decided
to show what they "can" do when they want with a final shocking track,which is already a classic for me.

As a newbie in this genre I think THE DAMAGE is awsome. I'm an old fart and can understand whats going on.

I stumbled on this CD when desperately searching for some GOOD female rockers. I love this CD! She can really belt out a tune or she can be soft. Actually I like when she starts out soft and kicks butt at the end. She makes you feel what she's singing. I just ordered one of their previous CD's from the website (tappingthevein.com). I know it'll be just as great. You can't go wrong with this band.

I was looking for a band that had a gothic sound and a great female vocalist.When I ordered this I wasn't sure what I would be getting. Heather's voice gave me goose bumps! She made me feel what her voice and lyrics were expressing.She has a strong voice ,you can actually understand what she is saying ,not like other female goth singers whose voice can hardly be heard over the loud instruments or where they sing the same three notes over and over.She is Pat Benatar gone goth!She is up there with Amy Lee only with stronger vocals. This band's sound is unique too. I can hardly wait for their new CD.

This group had a good sound, but reading the lyrics while listening to this album for the first time left me disappointed. Every song has the same theme: no one has suffered like me. Too much self-pity and selfishness. Even accepting that as being typical of this kind of music, the lyrics aren't even very intelligent... like bad poetry from a depressed high school student. However, if you're the type of person that can appreciate the music without paying too much attention to the lyrics, then you should be fine.

I do. Heather Thompson is a talented vocalist and has a very likeable sound, the band behind her are competant and the music is quite good but....

I guess they're just a little too mainstream for my taste.

They really shouldn't be hidden away in this little corner of amazon - it's very misleading. I highly recommend that you download a couple of songs and get a feel for the band before you buy this album. If you like them, great, go buy. If not...well, a couple of downloads is surely better than paying for the whole album.

Look, if you're reading this review, do download a couple of tracks. They certainly are worth your time. Just not my taste, that's all.