Customer Reviews

Fine Day to Exit

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Comparing A Fine Day To Exit to earlier works such as Pentecost III, Serenades or the Silent Enigma would not only be unfair, it would be impossible. Gone are the death growls. In it's place is an environment that's strangely tranquil yet compelling. There is a sense of power here too. It would be a grave injustice to cast this wonderful work aside because it doesn't sound like the earlier albums. Other reviews mention Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Porcupine Tree. While there may be hints of these, Anathema is copying no one and is going in a direction all there own.

As I was reading a review for this cd in a magazine, the person who reviewed it called it; New Doom Cd by Liverpool's Anathema. I beg to differ because if he actually listened to the album, none out of the 9 songs on this masterpiece can even come close to be called "doom metal".

People have said that Anathema is trying to get picked up by Radiohead and Coldplay fans, but although i love both of those bands, I don't hear that much resemblence to them. I feel that Anathema is in their own league of music, a combination of atmospheric rock and alternative rock, with some of their earlier gothic sounds.

No, this cd wont be picked up on radio or MTV, but I do believe that you should pick this cd up. It is definitly worth the 5 star rating.

ive read all of the reviews of this album and thought id add my two cents. first off i have been an anathema fan since eternity. that being said, i have seen the transformation they have undergone. alternative 4 was pretty cool, judgement was absolutely mindblowing, and now a fine day to exit. when i first heard this album i didnt like it, i was still all about judgement. now two years after its release i bought it, my opinion has changes... i love this album. once i got over my obsession with judgement i saw the full beauty of this release. its a very atmosheric listen, a welcome change to grinding metal. is it different from their previous releases, yes. is it a good thing, yes. it is necessary for bands to evolve. who wants to hear the same songs over and over? people are comparing the album to radiohead and pink floyd. think about that... listen to pablo honey then to kid a... listen to piper at the gates of dawn then to the wall... bands change, but great bands remain great. buy this cd, you may not like it at first, but you will.

The first thing that I must say is that I immensely loved "Judgement", that was the reason why I bought this album.
I'm an old Metal fan, and I considered "Judgement" one of by biggest musical discoveries ever..

But this has absolutely NOTHING to do with their previous album, this is nothing more than a typical "british pop-rock" rock in the wave of Radiohead and stuff like that... I don't mean that it's "bad music" at all... some people could consider it a masterpiece (??)... but I simply cannot appreciate this... I like some songs like "Underground" and "temporary peace" but it's nothing compared with Judgement.

"Judgement" is not an album that a narrow-minded metal fan is supposed to like... it's a mellow, emotional, melancholic album.... it's an album that is accessible to everyone who simply likes "good music", but it has a "metal" wave in it, most open-minded metal fans could get into "Judgement"...

...but "A fine day to exit" is an album that I wouldn't recommend to most of the people, it`s like listening to a completely different band, the songwriting, the production, everything... if you like Radiohead, Oasis and "british pop" in general you could like this, but prepare to be dissapointed otherwise...

Even though Anathema has completely evolved from their old style, this album is genius. This was my introduction to the band, but it made me want to own all of their work, and I plan on collecting all their albums in backwards order. I do understand their older stuff was more metal and had a gothic element. This album has an acoustic feel most of the time. "Pressure" sounds like something Radiohead would do, because of the piano loop, but that's only the real Radiohead influences I can hear. Dispite what others are saying, I don't think the album has that many songs that have predictable melodies. "A Fine Day to Exit" (the title track) and "Release" are very progressive. They both start out nice and quiet and get gradually heavier. The title track especially is an awe-inspiring, haunting tune and the acoustics in "release" have a very peaceful and tranquil, yet upbeat feel. "Looking Outside Inside" has a kind of sudden unpredictable direction somewhere in the song also. "Panic" is a real suprise. This song is brilliant, the lyrics, and the fast-paced, stressful feel. It is some of Anathema's best work so far. The singer's vocal range and melody sounds great on "Leave no Trace" and "Barriers". Finally, we have "Temporary Peace", a real treat. The moment "Beyond this beautiful horizon lies a dream for you and I / This tranquil scene is still unbroken by the rumors in the sky" is sung, it is one of the most astonishing and satisfying parts of the album, and shortly after that you hear the sound of ocean waves to end the album. Perfect ending to a perfect album. This should probably be your introduction to the band. Definately pick this up if you like Dredg. If you haven't heard of Dredg be sure to check out their little masterpiece "Leitmotif". If you've been a fan of Anathema since the early days, this album is much different but still the same level of brilliance. It has certainly become one of my all time favorites.

being a fan since the pentecost 3 days, i have seen this band undergo quite transformation, most of which has been very good. I love alt4 and think judgement an underrated album, but a fdte really sounds like a band that does not know what to do next. I feel it to be comepletely without emotion. Its almost like they have given up and are just making music to make music
it is possible to make the transition from metal to rock, and keep all the emotion and integerity of being honest musicians(just listen to katatonia and you will understand)
i honestly can not reccommend this album to anyone.

When i went out to buy this CD i knew that i was going to hear something new and different.. far removed from the band's glorious "The Silent Enigma" and "Eternity" times. I had no idea.

If and when you go out and buy this CD, don't think of it as Anathema. Simply pretend it is a brand new band, because... it is. In my oppinion it has nothing to do with any of the earlier albums, not even Judgement.

Vincent doesn't even sound like himself anymore. Call me crazy if you will, but he even sounds David Bowie-ish at times.

Some of the tracks substitute the good old rock drums for drum-machine samples, in the stream of "Empty", but even more alternative than that.

All that said, this album is still a masterpiece. Coming from any other band i would have given it 5 stars. I gave four simply because this is not the path i was hoping Anathema would follow. Still really good music, though.

I recommend it to alternative music fans and also hardcore Anathema fans, but if you thought Judgement was way to alternative, be ready to be disappointed.

I recieved this album on IRC a couple months before I actually bought it. Why? Because after hearing 1999's 'Judgement' album, I was a complete Anathema freak. I don't think I've ever been so absorbed by an album in my entire life.

But this is a review of their newest 'A Fine Day to Exit'. And what an excellent album it is. First of all, Vincent's voice is better than ever. On tracks like "Release" and the title cut, you truly feel the power of this man's vocal chords. It looks like Anathema has completely ditched all strands of metal, so don't expect any death vocals... they are all clean and extremely enjoyable to listen to.

As far as the music goes, it is laden with textures and the production is outstanding. Drums have never sounded better (listen to "Panic"). The songs are very melancholy and relaxing. I like to describe this CD as "melting" because that is exactly what it feels like when I listen to it.

The opener, "Pressure" is probably my least favorite song on the album. I don't like the piano on it, but it is still enjoyable. "Release" starts off with a simple, yet catchy-as-all-hell riff, and it's Vincent's vocals at its finest on the CD. Truly one of Anathema's best songs. "Leave no Trace" has an awesome chorus, very emotional, and the lyrics are great. "Barriers" is very stripped down, uses female vocals, and is another Anathema classic. "Panic" seems slighty out of place at first (it's a very fast, rock'n'roll type song), but after a couple listens, it fits in extremely well. The drumming stands out here the most. The title track is long, sad and very beautiful. Right as that ends... it flows into one of the best closing songs I've heard on an album, "Temporary Peace". The song is backed by ocean waves, a very watery type riff, and some of the best lyrics I've heard. There's an echo effect in the vocals that really adds to the mood of the song plus another good section of a female singer. The ending instrumentation just makes you feel like you are floating peacefully above the world...and it just sums up this album in one word... "awesome".

Anathema have matched their 1999 opus. This band has made an absolute remarkable change from their metal roots. 'A Fine Day to Exit' is a complete album, with no filler and a huge replay value. It has been at the top of my list since I heard the first song from it. Absolutely recommended.

....to whatever inside my head convinced me to buy this cd. for months i would pass this album wondering if i should try it(not having heard anything by this band previously). I finally picked it up a few days ago, and what can i say? This is one of the most beautiful, moving, serene and dark albums i have ever bought in my life. while i would say im a pretty big metal head, i could not resist the mellow and haunting soundscapes of this album. The title track alone could carry this cd. do your soul a favor and buy this, NOW.

From Doom metal to Radioheadish atmospheres, Anathema has always held my interest. A Fine Day To Exit continues in their Progressive Rock exploits the Eternity started. The music is very Jeff Buckley/ Pink Floyd/ Radioheadish, but develops a sound of its own too. An overall depressing sound radiates from the songs, especially Underworld and Panic.

A Fine Day To Exit opens with the piano laden background of Pressure and slowly builds into a very relaxing song that kind of disturbs you in the back of your head. Release has a slow acoustic guitar opener with great lyrics, it slowly builds into a beautiful guitar riff. This is song is one of my favorites for its all around perfectness. Looking Outside Inside continues the melodic pace and Leave No Trace ventures even more into their Jeff Buckley sound. Underworld has beautiful guitar and lyrics "Stand back and watch me melt away". Barriers is the first song I heard off of the album and is one of my favorites too, a female vocalist is heard on this song creating a great contrast to the usual vocals. Panic is the main rocker for the album and is also the shortest song, creates a great break from the slower, more atmospheric sound the album had to this point. The title track is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard, the opening guitar lick is beyond great and the build up to the climax is awe inspiring. The closing song Temporary Peace closes the album perfectly.

If you are expecting this to sound like their earlier works than prepare to be disapointed. Like all great bands they've changed their sound for the better and I hope they continue doing that.