Customer Reviews

Brown (Spec)

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is an impressive record. While "Brown" shines as one of the best examples of the so-called "rap-core" style, it transcends the style by employing the standard elements of good music: dynamic changes of tempo and volume, employment of 2 or more interesting and distinct guitar and bass riffs within songs, theme-and-variation approaches on several riffs, tight, soulful playing and singing, and an evident commitment to their convictions. "Know Me" immediately demonstrates these elements, beginning with a slow, quiet riff and building up to the first verse delivered with full intensity, diminishing in sound and tempo into an entirely different groove and riff after the chorus and then hammering that riff home to finish the song. You'll find the same things in songs like "Visions", "Brown", "Breathe Babylon" (which has a very cool break in the middle) and most impressively on "Full Color". "Full Color" is the apex of the record, a moving testimony by singer/rapper Sonny about the death of his mother. P.O.D. lays down some interesting music and still rocks in the process. It's quite a combination.

If there's one criticism of the record, it's the sonic quality. While you won't find sound dropouts or things of that nature, the record doesn't deliver the sonic clarity listeners have come to expect. This is particularly true of the way the impact of the drumming fails to come through. In spite of this, "Brown" is well worth the price of admission. There's no comparison between the boring, repetitive stuff peddled by a band like Limp Bizkit and "Brown" by P.O.D. P.O.D. blows them out of the water.

I was shown the Brown album by one of my buddies when I was like 14 (about 7 years ago). This is one of the best albums in the genre that has ever existed (it could be THE BEST). I had a hardcore band for about two years and Preach was one of our favorite warm-up songs. I have heard the re-release, and they actually made it song a lot cleaner, just like their newer stuff. I like their newer stuff, but if you're going to buy this cd, try to get one of the original releases, they're a little more ?staticcy? The originals just have a pure sound that doesn't sound like they had 5 executives telling them "this is what's in, THIS IS the sound that you will have." Okay enough about that, BUY THIS for the songs Breath Babylon (a hardcore masterpiece- you should hear this live), Selah, Preach, Full Colour (one on the most emotional songs that I've ever heard - dedicated to all of those who have lost someone), and just about every other song on the album. Last words, you will probably never hear another P.O.D. album this good ever again.

What this CD lacks in comparison with their later albums Southtown and Satellite is catcy melodies and catchy sounds. But what it gives you is a lot of P.O.D.'s testosterone and brute anger; it has it's moments when the power and energy are quite incredible. The only reason this album wasn't a mainstream hit is because it didn't have popular sounds that would sell to a non-harcore audience.

after being down with p.o.d. on the Christian music scene for a while, i was quite pleased when they were signed to atlantic. this record (along with their "pre-production" demos for the warriors ep) proves their astounding ability to mesh many styles of music together and do it well.

highlights of this disc are: "selah" with it's classical guitar lines throughout "know me" "full color" (or colour -- whichever you prefer). "full color" is definately when of this emotive songs that i have ever heard. a song that's so full of rage about the death of sonny's mother to cancer and redemption of sonny being led to salvation through the ordeal.

definately, this disc does deal with religious aspects, but that should not stop anyone from purchasing it. very hard, very heavy, very impressive.

This cd is an alright purchase, although it sounds like a differant group other than P.O.D. In their other albums, they sound like a rock/metal/reaggae group. In this album, they're a funk/punk/reggae group. It doesn't sound as good.
Like, the entire album sounds like Sonny is singing through a radio, and Traa, Marcos and Wuv are playing instruments around this singing radio. His voice sounds distant, and like I said, like it's playing through a second speaker or something. Other people have confirmed this, so I know it's not just my radio. Now I don't necessarily find that bad - actually it would sound pretty cool if they pulled it off right. Unfortunately, they didn't.

Now this is my personal opinion, but P.O.D. sounded better as a rock/metal group, with a little reggae mixed in. Not ALL reggae, with a lot of funk and punk. There are two good songs on this cd, 'Know Me' and 'Visions'. Those are the two best and HARDEST songs on the album. Several songs are okay too, like 'Selah' and 'Breathe Babylon'. But this cd is not nearly as good as 'Satellite', 'The Fundamental Elements of Southtown', or even 'Payable on Death'. It just isn't P.O.D. I'm glad they changed their sound before doing THIS junk all time. This music is not completely bad, but it could have been better.

I wouldn't recommend this cd if you have just heard about P.O.D. and would like to sample them. I REPEAT - DO NOT BUY THIS CD IF YOU ARE JUST NEWLY INTERESTED IN P.O.D., BUT HAVE NOT HEARD THEIR STUFF YET. IT WILL SCARE YOU AWAAAYYY. . .
If that is your case, then I would recommend you try 'Satellite', or 'The Fundamental Elements of Southtown'. Those albums are true P.O.D.
I would only recommend this album to die-hard Warriors or reggae-styled music fans (nothing personal against your music, reggae fans, but it's just not me!).
If you are one of the following:
-Heavy Metal/ Hard Rock fan
-New P.O.D. fan (you're not ready!)
-Interested in P.O.D.
Then do not purchase this album. . .yet. I would, however, recommend this album to one of the following:
-Die hard P.O.D fan
-Reggae fan
-Funk fan
If you are one of these, than this cd is for you! If not, then go and get some of P.O.D.'s other, better, cd's, and come back to this one later.

I've been listening to the new album Sattellite and to listen to brown is to listen to an inferior album. One of the biggest problems is production. The vocals sound horrible and distorted, and thats not in a good way. Its bad enough that it makes it hard to listen to the album. Snuff the punk had better production in those areas. Many will say they didn't have the money for it, but thats no exscuse. In the end if your looking for the best pod album then check out Sattelite, because brown doesn't deliver.

This CD is awesome! All the songs are great! "Know Me", "Visions", "Breathe Babylon" and "Full Color" are the best songs! The beats are phat and the lyrics are amazing! Get this cd!

PS. POD FOR LIFE!!!

I am tired of hearing people say that these guys are a R.A.M. rip off! P.O.D. is my favorite band! They are awesome live and off stage they are the greatest people to hang out with! God blesses them the more they bless Him. If you think BROWN is cool, check out the Warriors E.P. on Tooth and Nail Records. "Southtown" will definately keep you on your toes until their Atlantic records release this summer! P.O.D.--- The rising Rap-Core Sensation! Spirit Filled Hardcore!!!!!!!

Contrary to what others have said about this album, I hold that this is their most unique and creative. Let me start off by saying that this record is pretty indy. It dosen't have all the extra production effects of "Southtown" or "Satellite", but it does make up for it in it's innovative approach. Every song is done with a passion and intensity. Sonny make's your heart bleed on tracks like "Full Color" which is about his mother dying. Wuv and Traa demonstrate why they have one of the best ryhtm sections in heavy music as they chug along like a tank on speed. "Visions" and "Selah" are two of the best songs P.O.D.'s ever made. If you were let down by "Payable On Death" go old school and buy the record that made P.O.D. an underground establishment.

This CD is easily POD'S best. i didn't really like their newer albums ("satellite", "payable on death") but this album is worth the money. it's got all kinds of music on it,there's punk ("punks rock") rap ("breathe babylon") Funk ("Funk Jam") Reggae ("Reggae jam") and all the rest are heavy metal. what really adds texture to the CD is traa's bass.he slaps that thing like crazy (for example,"full color") well,here's my review song-by-song

1.Intro 2/5
2.Know Me 5/5
3.Selah 4/5
4.Visions 3/5
5.Brown 3/5
6.One day 4/5
7.punks rock 5/5
8.Breathe Babylon 3/5
9.Funk Jam 5/5
10.Preach 5/5
11.Reggae Jam 5/5
12.Full Color 5/5
13.Seeking The Wise 2/5
14.Live And Die 1/5
15.Outro 5/5

The Best Songs Are:
Know Me
Punks Rock
Funk Jam
Preach
Reggae Jam
Full Color
Outro