Papa Roach Metamorphosis
by Nick Giannandrea
Staff Writer
The fifth studio album by Vacaville, Calif.-bred rockers Papa Roach couldn’t be more appropriately titled. Metamorphosis, a 12-track, 46-minute, DGC/Interscope Records, Inc. CD released March 24, showcases the quartet’s continued evolution from rap rockers to hard rock heavyweights. And make no mistake; Metamorphosis is heavy and very good.
Principal songwriters Tobin Esperance (b) and Jerry Horton (g) have created a collection of tunes that inspire nonstop head banging and devil-horn-raised fist-pumping. Singer Jacoby Shaddix, with some assistance from Sixx A.M. vocalist/emerging producer James Michael, has crafted lyrics and melodies that are quite infectious and demand to be sung along to. And new drummer Tony Palermo powers the recording with foot-tapping frenzy.
Metamorphosis recreates what Papa Roach does so well in a live setting; make you get on your feet, jump around and rock. And no individual song on this recording does it better than “Lifeline,” the second No. 1 single of the band’s 10-year major label career.
“Lifeline” is the antithesis of Papa Roach’s only previous No. 1 single, “Last Resort” off its major label debut Infest in 1999. While “Last Resort” was desperate youth angst at its absolute edge, “Lifeline” sees Shaddix make it to the other end of the spectrum in an introspective song that speaks of overcoming your own missteps to find your way in life. Shaddix’s impassioned vocal delivery, especially on the super-catchy chorus, drive this song and put it on par with the best Papa Roach have recorded to date.
But “Lifeline” is far from the only highlight. “Hollywood Whore,” Shaddix’s ode to socialites such as Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears according to his on-stage rants, is just as catchy as “Lifeline,” and perhaps more intense. It’s another tune that’s almost impossible not to sing along with and already has become a crowd favorite during the band’s live shows.
Metamorphosis opens with a instrumental interlude called “Days of War,” which bleeds into the album’s first full-out track “Change or Die,” a manic 3-minute, 19-second burst of energy that explodes from the speakers and sets the tone for what’s to come. After “Hollywood Whore,” “I Almost Told You That I Loved You” follows as a modern slice of rock that is reminiscent of the finest 1980s sleaze, when bands such as Motley Crue sang unapologetic of their bedroom conquests.
Another highlight of this album is “Had Enough,” a moody rocker that follows “Lifeline” and is a complete about-face from the first five tracks. Esperance and Palermo really shine on this track, providing a killer, slow groove that’s easy to latch onto. A pair of mid-tempo rockers follow with “Live This Down” and “March Out of the Darkness,” the latter of which starts out with an acoustic guitar intro that builds into to the song’s electrified chorus.
The pace picks up considerably with “Into the Light,” one of the disc’s heaviest tracks before giving way to Metamorphosis’ one true ballad, “Carry Me.” But unlike late ’80s power ballads, this song has teeth. There’s no sap in this thoughtful plea for the help of another. The CD closes with “Nights of Love” and “State of Emergency,” both songs that encourage the putting away of the lighters (or cell phones nowadays) and thrusting the fists back in the air to celebrate the energy and passion of rock.
With Metamorphosis, Papa Roach have crafted an album that stands triumphantly against anything released in the past 10 years.
Label: DGC/Interscope
Lineup:
Jacoby Shaddix: Vocals
Tobin Esperance: Bass
Jerry Horton: Guitar
Tony Palermo: Drums
Track listing:
Dogs of War
Change or Die
Hollywood Whore
I Almost Told You That I Loved You
Lifeline
Had Enough
Live This Down
March Out of the Darkness
Into the Light
Carry Me
Nights of Love
State of Emergency
Online:
www.paparoach.com
www.proachriot.com
www.myspace/paparoach.com
HRH rating: 8.5/10