Puddle of Mudd’s new album, Volume 4: Songs in the Key of Love and Hate, might have an overly long and derivative title but the music is fresh and vibrant. The songs are tightly constructed and, like those on Elton John’s wonderful Tumbleweed Connection, become more powerful upon repeated listens. Wes Scantlin and Paul Phillips dominate this album like Axl Rose and Slash dominated Guns N’ Roses’s best work.
“Stoned” starts things off rockingly. Phillips’s staccato riffs and continuous chords are dope defined. Competing vocal tracks work well and the chorus is tight. This song knows what it wants to be and has the courage to be just that – a driving rocker. Even the slow part is nails. Scantlin uses some R rated words and they feel right, like Robert Smith’s on the Cure’s sensational Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me.
“Spaceship” features Doug Ardito’s rad bass and Scantlin asks someone to “just get naked.” Whenever we are in the company of the right babe or babes and the timing is appropriate we will do so asap. Scantlin also wants to take someone “for a little ride.” If the ride’s to one of his band’s shows, we’re on it like a bee is on honey.
“Keep It Together” features completely unexpected and savage guitar effects and harmonies that are ragged and nice. We are incredibly impressed and refreshed by this tune and love the uplifting feel of the song. What sounds like a violin lingers and is welcome like a man bringing us a check for $500,000.
On “Out Of My Way,” Scantlin’s rasp is what Axl Rose would sing like if he was more mellow and sane. Phillips’s guitar sounds spiral preciously like Eddie Van Halen at maybe 2/3 speed. “Blood On The Table” drives and Ryan Yerdon’s drums are simple yet powerful. The harmony is Van Halenesque and, once again, Phillips’s guitar takes over. Scantlin’s voice sounds pleasingly like Roger Taylor’s.
“The Only Reason” features competing vocal tracks and tries to be a slower song but the drums hammer too much so the song feels schizophrenic. The sound is way too familiar and makes us wince. Just because some bands have done something successfully doesn’t mean that every band needs to try it.
The song title “Pitchin’ a Fit” reminds us of an ex-girlfriend who threw her glasses at our place one time. Thankfully the song is much better than that particular experience. The guitar is simply cool like Angus Young’s and Scantlin’s passion is scintillating. Another Rose comparison is completely apt.
“Uno Mas” is what the gunners would do if this was 1993 and they’d ditched the keyboards. Guitar slams us and we’re enchanted; Yerdon drums with the power of Alex Van Halen. “Better Place” begins with Love and Rockets guitar and feels like more powerful Buckcherry. Scantlin sings like Paul Rodgers wishes he could, and we love Paul Rodgers. This is a gripping, powerful song like the best by Sonic Youth and by our favorite, Echo and the Bunnymen.
“Hooky” is about as Guns N’ Roses as a band can get without any of the original members playing on it. Ardito’s bass lends a heaviness and depth that is totally necessary. We enjoy playing hooky if the babes are around and this song makes us want to make some phone calls and find out. Phillips’s guitar is raw and explosive like Will Sergeant’s and that of another legend, Andy Gill.
Volume 4: Songs in the Key of Love and Hate is a consistent, strong album. The sound isn’t going to strike anyone with a mind as groundbreaking, but that’s not necessary for us to enjoy an album and to respect the band that made it. Puddle of Mudd is a powerful band and a band that knows how to make solid rock songs with hints of greatness.
Three guns.
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Like Puddle of Mudd? Check out: Guns N' Roses, Seether, Staind
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