Puddle Of Mudd | re:(disc)overed
by Deb Rao
Staff Writer
Puddle Of Mudd return to the radio with a follow up to Volume lV: Songs In The Key Of Love And Hate with a ’70s classic covers album re:(disc)overed slated to be released on August 30. You may wonder can a band influenced by the Nirvana grunge scene pull off an album full of ’70s classics? The answer is yes indeed. Actually, Puddle Of Mudd stay true to the original sound of these classic hits and even manage add a ’90s flair to the songs giving them a sort of rebirth. re:(disc)overed was produced by Bill Appleberry.
The first single “Gimme Shelter” has hit the airwaves with a riveting response. The album cover reflects a picture of an old Victrola or record player. In essence with all the pro-tools of this era, till this day I don’t think modern technology will ever recapture the raw untainted sound of a record produced back in the day. Today many albums are so over produced. Puddle of Mudd stay true to the raw, live sound on re:(disc)overed. It was nice to go back in time for a just a moment.
Guitarist Paul Phillips tells Hardrock Haven, “It is something that people wouldn’t expect to hear from us. That is kind of the reason we did it. It gave us the opportunity to do things that we could not do on a Puddle record.”
It was refreshing listening to these ’70s classics hits that have helped shape the music world, as we know it today. It is always a dangerous situation to attempt to re-do a song that was so popular back in the day. But the musicians in Puddle Of Mudd pour out their hearts into this vast collection of hits. The CD starts off with The Rolling Stone hit “Gimme Shelter,” right off the bat by the tone and production of this song you just know the album is going to flow very well. One of the highlights of the album is the re-make of “Old Man.” Neil Young is not a force to be reckoned with but the band really does this song justice. Paul Phillips manages to bring out the guitar parts even more vibrant and singer Wes Scantlin has kind of Neil Young folk vibe in his vocal style on this track.
Highlight of the album would have to be the re-make of the Steve Nicks tune, “Stop Dragging My Heart Around,” with guest vocalist BC Jean. Wes and BC Jean do the song justice. The tune flows really well with passionate vocals. The band jams on Billy Squier’s, “Everybody Wants You.” Bad Company was a huge part of the ‘70s and the song “Shooting Star” adds a nice ambiance with keyboards.
Surprising remake on re:(disc)overed is Elton John’s, “Rocket Man.” The melody, vocals, and guitar work take the song to a soaring new level. What ’70s classic album would not be complete with “All Right Now” and “Funk #49?” The ’70s were a time period in which the bands jammed. Guitar solos ruled the scene. The songs were filled with passion and stripped down. Puddle Of Mudd may hail from the ’90s grunge era, but this album proves that the band can do so much more than the typical four-chord grunge song. It was exhilarating to hear Puddle Of Mudd breathe new life into these classic hits. Wes Scantlin really showcases his vocal ability and guitarist Paul Phillips shines going from acoustic to electric and really jamming on these timeless hits.
Puddle Of Mudd dig deep into the ’70s classic rock era performing the songs from the heart and discovering the bands outstanding potential along the way. Be sure to check out Hardrock Haven’s Exclusive interview with Paul Phillips.
Genre: Hard Rock
Band:
Wes Scantlin
Paul Phillips
Doug Ardito
Shannon Boone
Track Listing:
l. Gimme Shelter
2. Old Man
3. T.N.T.
4. Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around
5. The Joker
6. Everybody Wants You
7. Rocket Man
8. All Right Now
9. Shooting Star
10. D’yer Mak’er
11. Funk #49
Label: Arms Division
Website: www.puddleofmudd.com / www.facebook.com/puddleofmudd
Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10