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.

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.

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.

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.

....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.