The overall style of the "Another Day Down" cd is the same as what listeners have come to recognize, and appreciate from the band. One noticeable difference from the first note on the latest cd, is the difference in sound, be prepared to pump up the volume considerably. Another noticeable difference with this cd, the initial rawness in Heather Thompson’s voice noted on previous releases is not quite the same due to refinement. On this cd, Heather’s voice comes across as much more polished. This is not to say her voice sounds rehearsed, the vocal quality is just more rounded, precise, and smoother. Her voice on "Another Day Down" reminds listeners of her startling talent as heard on the previous releases. A talent that no doubt puts her right up at the top, marking her place for the future in music. For those listeners who enjoy a more polished vocal style, this one is sure to please. For those listeners who love Heather Thompson and believe she could sing anything and it would come across in all its awesomeness no matter, then this cd is sure to please. For those who like the guttural out and out wail, listen closer as it is still there! With this cd, the sound seems to resonate from a much deeper origin. She seems to pull the vocals for this one from deep within the ground above which she floats. The voice coming from such a small frame is enormous both on size and on quality. While some might see it as the band being drowned out, others might appreciate being able to hear her vocals and tune into the lyrics, I am certainly one of them who enjoys it immensely. The unique combination of poignant lyrics and vocals is one of the most remarkable, and cherished aspects of Tapping The Vein’s music.

The lyrics on this cd live up to what Tapping The Vein fans have come to love, expect, and perhaps with a broader range of emotion. Someone once said that Tapping The Vein lead singer Heather Thompson bleeds all over every song that she does, for that, listeners must remember to thank her. Heather Thompson pours herself into each song, where other singers only attempt to take an audience of listeners, Tapping The Vein not only takes their listeners there, they keep them mesmerized in spot, tormented and spellbound living through memories in each song with her. When the cd is over, the listener will wake up on their knees, postulating, and acutely aware Heather Thompson has just sang her heart out. Realization both immediate and progressively seeps in, the experience(s) were shared so profoundly that denial is futile.

From the very first song, each of the 11 songs on the cd march up and down, emotionally stomping and full blaze ranting, an honest and deeply rooted portrayal of raw emotions that very few ever experience on their own. Those that have rarely allow it to surface; more often, it is fought back, choked, and never shared with anyone, never breached, and forever ignored. This is the type of amazing kindness and grace shown throughout the cd, such openness is extremely magnetic and humbling. The cd is brilliant, to meet a need by fulfilling one, as a listener must certainly hope is the case to ease the overwhelming debt owed for such raw, gut dripping energy, and release.

The song tracks on the cd are "Burn," "Complicate It," "Party Favours," "Clean," "Bury Me," "I Don’t Feel," "Razor Blades," "Time," "All My Heart," "Another Day Down," and "Inclined."

Each of the songs clarifies and confirms certain indisputable affirmations with potency, facilitated by the enormous talent and voice of the lead singer. As each song progresses, the listener receives something solid to relate to and a bond to tie them into the cd and the amazing talent that is Tapping The Vein. Upon the initial listen of the cd, some songs stand out more readily than others do, while others may take a little longer to sink in. The ones that immediately stand out are "Burn," "Complicate It," "Razor Blades," and "Another Day Down." Not to say they are the most gripping or the best songs on the cd, only that they stand out a little quicker. All songs on the cd are strong and will not only sink in, but also strike a deep resonating chord within their own time. The music is so persuasive that is one of the most enjoyable aspects of this release and the essence of Tapping The Vein. The listener may very quickly hear certain ones, but the others will rapidly become favorites on the cd either in addition to or above the ones first heard. The listener should prepare to change opinion of favorite songs at least once. Favorite songs on the cd are "Burn," "Time," "All My Heart," and "Complicated." Having always been a lyric listener first before any other aspect, I select those songs as my favorites for connectivity reasons. The remaining songs are such close seconds it becomes hard to tell from that point. There truly are no bad songs or disconnects on the cd – each has its strength that sets it up there in line waiting, wanting, and even begging to be heard again repeatedly indefinitely.

The cd has so many facets, and Heather’s voice takes the listener through a gambit of emotion. The songs range from wickedly brazen, to connecting precisely, furiously charged, aggressively persuasive, poignant, and convincing. Heather cradles the listener in her hand through her amazing vocals and literally carries them through the most hypnotic and introspectively haunting revelations. If the question arose, how to define the cd with two words – it would be tempting to answer emotionally charged but if instead the answer given were Heather Thompson, the concept certainly targets closer to home. Heather Thompson is a true alchemist with the ability to turn everything she sings into something so breathtakingly real, pure spun gold pales in comparison.

Overall, I would give the cd in a rating of 1-5 stars with one being the worst, a 5+. This band has certainly become my absolute favorite with Heather Thompson’s vocals making the world stand still even if only briefly, such the storyteller. The cd is versatile that it should appeal to everyone within ears range, most specifically, those who know an astounding gift when they hear it. Those who are already a fan of Tapping The Vein will enjoy the cd immensely, those who have not ever heard Heather Thompson wail are certainly in for a wonderful surprise, she truly is an amazing vocal talent! Her awesomeness resounds throughout the entirety of "Another Day Down."

With this, listeners, and fans should expect to hear more a great deal more from them. Thank you Tapping The Vein, sincerely.

Be sure to catch them at the Dracula’s Ball in Philadelphia on October 31, 2009.

My Tribute to the band: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC-_O2C1dXk

10 / 10 on the Sonic Cathedral Ratings