 PUDDLE
OF MUDD
Life on Display
Geffen Records 2003
www.puddleofmudd.com
Read the Wes Scantlin interview
What's the 4-1-1?
Follow-up to their highly sucessful debut album Come Clean.
Genre
Alternative / hard rock
The Good
If it weren't for dysfunctional relationships, I don't think Puddle of Mudd
would have much of a carreer. A cheating girlfriend is the focal point
of "Away From Me". Its dark opening riff is instantly recognizable,
and a flood of heavy guitars accentuates the chorus. "Change My Mind" explores
deciet and deception. The track relys on acoustic guitars and has a much
slower tempo. The string slides that are left in give the track a more
authenticity. Wes Scantlin is known for his rugged, yet smooth sounding
vocals that are promenently displayed on "Heel Over Head", but
throws you a curve ball with the dark, errie vocals on "Nothing Left
to Lose".
Usually the guitars and vocals drive a song, but on "Already Gone" the
guitars take a back seat to Douglas Ardito's heavy bass line. Wes sings the
praises of being wasted and wants to know if you'd like to join him. "Bottom" also
showcases a wicked base groove and throws in a muffled drumbeat. It's all
about giving it from behind on "Spin You Around". Wes is forcefull
in his vocal delivery on this addictive track. Puddle of Mudd experiment
briefly with electronic style riffs on "Freak of Nature". "Cloud
9" boasts a rapid-fire open lick and an up-tempo rhythem that's not
typic of the group. I think it's the fast song they've ever done.
The Bad
The only bone I have to pick with Puddle of Mudd is that I think they incorporate
swears into their lyrics to come off as tough, bad-ass rock stars, when
in the end they're sweaky clean.
The Verdict
There's music on the radio that you like until it's played over and over
again. Then there's music you hate that's played over and over again, but
oddly enough you start to like it. For me, that's Puddle of Mudd's music.
Say what you want about them, but Puddle of Mudd writes some of the most
catchy, well-written, acoutic based songs. Every song on Life on Display
is easy to identify with and sing along to, with only a few spins. The
vocals are smooth, but still coarse enough for rock music. Sometimes the
lyrics are a little basic and corny, but who wants deep, meaningful thoughts
in their rock music.
Did you know?
During NASCAR’S Tropicana 400 at the Chicagoland Speedway this year,
Rusty Wallace’s No.2 Miller Lite Dodge race car was covered in a Puddle
of Mudd rock and roll theme.
Rating:  out
of 5
Related Reviews:
Puddle of Mudd - Striking that Familiar Chord DVD
--George Dionne |
