Puddle of Mudd Volume 4: Songs In The Key Of Love And Hate
by Deb Rao
Staff Writer
Puddle Of Mudd return to the music scene with a very strong showing with their fourth release Volume 4: Songs In The Key Of Love And Hate. Although the genre of grunge rock has disappeared with Nirvana, one band keeping the vibe alive is Puddle Of Mudd. They say there is a fine line between love and hate and Puddle Of Mudd inflict their torrid anguish views of love gone bad relationships in a captivating post grunge setting amidst ferocious guitar chords and singer Wes Scantlin sexually driven lyrics.
Opening track “Stoned” sets the mood unleashing the spartan guitar chords, as Wes sings, “Check your attitude at the door, I am thinking’ I rather be stoned.” As the charismatic singer sings about the aggravations of everyday life from everything to politics to love.
The first single of the album, “Spaceship,” takes you to another planet full of beautiful women aliens and the sexually explicit lyrics. Wes Scantlin wastes no time in cutting right to the chase, as he sings “Let’s get it over and just get naked.” Life is short right? This song has been burning up the FM radio stations. Be sure to check out the Spaceship video at www.myspace.com/puddleofmudd to get the full effect of the song.
Volume 4: Love Songs In The Key Of Love And Hate, finds the band returning to their grunge roots. Nothing-pretentious here. The band’s latest release is less commercial than their previous Famous and I think that is why most of the songs stand on their own. Puddle Of Mudd sings of every day emotions and real life. One of the gems on the album is the ballad “Keep It Together”, a song about long distance relationships. The guitar melody is very beautiful and Wes sings with much emotion. The song “Out Of My Way” reflects the love gone wrong vibe of the album.
Puddle Of Mudd return to their punk/grunge roots on “Blood On the Table” and “Pitchin A Fit”. For anyone who ever lost somewhere,” Better Place” really strikes a sad chord with its poignant lyrics.
The album ends on a high note with the school boyish song “Hooky.” It takes you back to when life was simple and free with no obligations. One interesting aspect of this album is that it seemed the band went into the studio and cranked out an album filled with no filler tracks in such a short period of time.
The difference between the Nirvana and Puddle Of Mudd, is that this album leaves you feeling good upon listening. Some songs such as “Spaceship” and “Stoned” have that party vibe that makes you want to dance. Be sure to check out Puddle Of Mudd live in concert this winter.
Label: Geffen
Track Listing
l . Stoned
2. Spaceship
3. Keep it Together
4. Out of My Way
5. Blood on the Table
6. Only Reason, The
7. Pitchin’ a Fit
8. Uno Mas
9. Better Place
10. Hooky
HRH Rating: 9/10