May was a good month for music. Lots of my groups released new albums, something I've never been able to pass up on. Static-X, Tool, Megadeth, even Depeche Mode. And no, I haven't gotten all of them yet. Money woes, you know? And it's time for my yearly jaunt to Origins. Even if I will foolishly forsake my daily expenses to get me some new music. At least I can identify my habits, right?

And then there is Stabbing Westward. For those not in the know, Stabbing Westward is a group that really stood out about seven years ago. They followed in the footsteps of groups like Nine Inch Nails, some would say too closely. Their music mostly revolved around angst-filled lyrics about broken relationships and personal failures, accompanied by industrial guitars and synths. Some songs were very emotional, such as 'What Do I Have To Do?' and 'Waking Up Beside You'. And there were others, charged with pain like 'Lies' and my personal favorite 'Drugstore'. So why do I write about the band? They released a new album as well.

And I hate it.

Some albums weird me out and I can't get into them for a while, but then I'll embrace them as time goes on, or at least certain songs off the album. Pearl Jam's 'Vitalogy' was one. It was a drastic departure from the sound of their first few albums, and it took a while to get used to. I fear that there is no hope for this Stabbing Westward album, the album with no title.

My reason for disliking it? Well, I like a little aggression to my music. I don't mind a love ballad in my music, but I feel that there needs to be some 'oomph' to kick in and make the hairs rise on your arms. The best songs in my opinion, are tempered with a soft side and a hard side. 'Live' is a great group for that. But this SW album, it could pass for a boy band album. Sure, we get to hear the same singer belting out tunes like 'Perfect':

" Why can't everything be Perfect like it used to?"

Yes, I echo the same question. Why, SW? Why? I know, all groups must change and diversify as they grow older, lest they grow stagnant and their music sounds the same. But their apparent big change was the departure of Chris Eliapolous, the former lead guitarist of the group. I remember Chris on stage, a powerful presence. But he was just a part of the whole. And now the whole feels like a hole. I searched through the current album, thinking that maybe there would at least be a song with some kick to it, something that would draw me in and make me want to keep the album. But there was nothing. And it's not like the album is a collection of ballads from previous albums. Comparing the ballads from the last album, like 'Haunting Me', to songs off the current is like comparing Slayer to Milli Vanilli. Hell, one of those N'Sync songs I saw a video for kicked this album's ass.

And I really hate to say that. I used to always dislike the 'traitors' to a group. I recall the days where Metallica put out 'Nothing Else Matters' and fans everywhere choked. Where are our metal gods? Why have they pussed out, sold out? I was on the side of the band. No, I don't particularly like that song, but I could respect them branching out. Maybe not the Napster branch, but we won't speak of that right now. I remember at that time Slayer put out a song called 'Seasons in the Abyss' and for once, Tom Araya sang and harmonized some instead of screaming. And you know what? I think it was one of the best off of the albums. So no, I'm not overwhelmed by change. I'm overwhelmed by this move to retool the sound of the group when the formula worked originally. If you want to go that different, and someone leaves the band, change the name of the band. Sure you lose some selling power, but I feel like I was tricked into buying this. I'm just scared to think what they might be like in concert now. Of course, with the new sound, they may pull in a completely different crowd. Completely different.

So if I've got time, I've got another topic for ya, also related to music. It has to do with repackaging of albums, if that is a proper term for the topic. I recently bought and album, and some of you will groan, but it was the Moby album, Play. I figured, hey why not, and it wasn't May yet, the month of many new releases. I had seen videos for a few songs, and in particular I liked the one for 'Southside' where Gwynn Stefani of No Doubt sings along. Cool song, and it was listed on the album. Cool. So I pick it up, and there are some good tracks there. I listened to Southside, and while good, it sounded different. Ah, I know what it was.

No Gwynn Stefani.

But I wasn't disheartened enough to return the album. I figured the song must be on some soundtrack, a remix, or something. It reminds me of old days, when you would see 'rock versions' of songs like 'Rock Me Amadeus', 'Mother's Talk', or even 'Shamrocks & Shenanigans' by House of Pain. You go, you buy the cassette, and the version of the album is different. Ah, you must be wanting the single. Fooled you!!

So accustomed, I didn't stress over the fact. But today, I walk through Best Buy, and lo and behold, there is the Moby album. I don't know why I picked it up, esp. when I own the disc. But I looked and on the back is 'Southside - featuring Gwynn Stefani' Same CD, same price, no other changes. But that one song, the one I want. What the hell?

This isn't the first time I've run across such evil practices. Fear Factory's album 'Obsolete' came out, and it was fine. I picked it up in the first week or two. Then, later on, they release a remake of the old song 'Cars' off the album. But wait, my album didn't have that. And across the store, now every Fear Factory album has 'Cars' on it.

I guess I'm penalized for jumping the gun and purchasing the album when it first comes out. Oh, this must be the CD V. 1.0. Can I get on the Internet, and get a patch for my missing song? And I'm sure the stance the record company will take. You should buy another copy of the album. Hell, with Napster and Gnutella out there, we'll do anything for a buck, right? And I know they want to do anything possible to push the artist, especially if sales are lagging. If there is a song that could be a hit, yes we want to release it. And hey, we'll even redo the disc if it will sell better. But where does that leave me, the formerly-faithful consumer?

I'm gonna go surfing. The humanitarian thing for Moby to do would be to put the song up on the web for free. Or worst case scenario, let me send my disc in for a new version. Because otherwise, how can I trust that the CD I'm buying is the one with the music I want? I mean, the video and the Stefani song was already released when I made my purchase. It only makes sense to me.

Of course, I'm finding a lot of things in this world make complete sense only to me.