Customer Reviews

Desensitized

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

Granted Dave Williams was an amazing stage presence and just a
natural born front man, so good live in fact that I believe he was easily the overall reason Drowning Pool broke thru to begin with, I mean seriously, how many other singers do you see doing "bodies" as well. That being said I always thought "Bodies" while catchy, was really just over done to the point of true 14 yearold lamedness, some have tried to compare "Bodies" to Pantera's "walk" which is hillarious, they have compostional similarities but thats it.
On to "Desensitezed".
Not as heavy an album as I normal would buy but Far better than Sinner which did not flow worth a damn, and had maybe 3 songs that anybody ever listened to. I never bought the album nor ever had the urge to. Every song on Desensitized flows, is just as heavy as any on Sinner( btw, theyre are alot of tards on here thinking Drowning Pool was ever "Heavy" to begin with) and the new singer is just as good vocaly as Dave ever was, it makes me sick that DamagePlan couldnt have got this guy.
Desensitezed is a Heavy straight ahead Rock record, one that I listen to tracks 1-11 straight over and over again with no problems at all, which is a very rare thing for me being the picky sob I am. Its not a Pantera rip-off or anywhere close to Pantera, its just a good simple heavy straight ahead groove rock record, whats wrong with that?
It sure as hell better than kid rock.

If you like those bands that angrily shout all the lyrics through their songs you'll love Desensitized. If you loved Drowning Pool's Sinner you might not like Desensitized.

The three surviving members of Drowning Pool and Jason "Gong" Jones will probably tell you that "Jason-Gong is not Dave Williams" (the original Drowning Pool singer that died tragically in 2002). And that's the problem with Desensitized. There will be many people buying the CD to get Drowning Pool, but instead they will get a new hard rock band with the same name.

The band rocking on Desensitized has three dudes from Drowning Pool and a guy named Jason Gong Jones at the mic. It is not the Drowning Pool that recorded Sinner. The band is calling itself Drowning Pool, but there is a big difference between the former Drowning Pool and the latter Drowning Pool.

Gone are the songs with anthem choruses like "let the bodies hit the floor", "reminded of you", "all over me", "raise your hand if you're a sinner". These are replaced on Desensitized by what seem to be more short, angry, declarative statement choruses. The clearly sung choruses recited repetitively to an awesome, banging beat that the Drowning Pool that included Dave Williams was so fond of are sorely missed on this CD.

Desensitized is hard rocking fun. But it is not the Drowning Pool that recorded Sinner (did I mention that?). So keep an open mind when you push play on this new group's CD and don't be disappointed when you hear for yourself that "it is just not Drowning Pool". This band should have come up with a new name for the new group.

On this CD Gong uses that angry shout much more than Dave did. And that is ironic because he should be the happiest guy in hard rock to have landed a gig with CJ Pierce, Mike Luce and Stevie Benton.

Update 8-8-2005 - Soil's former singer Ryan McCombs joins Drowning Pool with a new release possible by year's end according to info on the Drowning Pool website. My expectations are very high. Ryan's singing is hard and very clear. See my review of Soil's Redefine.

A lot of people say the same thing about this album, "It's not Dave." Well, yeah, it isn't. As much as I loved Dave's vocals and miss them as well, Drowning Pool made a smart choice in not trying to get the same sound. It was said that they received a tape of someone that sounded just like Dave, but turned it down because they didn't want to make it seem like Dave was just another voice. Having said that, I thought Jason was a good addition to the band, while not sounding like Dave, he brings something new to the group. Some of the songs seem a bit more emotional, which is understandable seeing that the band suffered a very big loss. However this album still brings that gritty and heavy sound that Drowning Pool tends to give. "Step Up", "Think", "Killin Me", and "Cast Me Aside" are all heavy favorites. However, as many fans may know, I'm writing this review a day or two after it was announced that Jason was released. This is a shame because the rest of the band is very talented and to have to go through so much trouble all the time is unfortunate. This album is not "Sinner" but is still good. Frankly, if Drowning Pool is able to bounce back from Jason leaving and give us an album equal to or better than "Sinner" then they will be one of the biggest metal bands to date. This is a good album, and long live Dave.

We are talking music not sympathy and affection so stop praising this band because their singer died but they carried on etc.. I'm sorry about their loss but that doesn't change the fact that DP sounds like a regular college band. Comparing them to the likes of Pantera is either the greatest flattery they will ever get or an insult to Pantera. There are some good songs but only good enough not to change the station on the radio. Buying the CD has been a waste of money for me. (...)

Before I heard the album I got to here them live in Albuquerque,NM. I have to say that the album is good but hearing them live is even better. I was really wondering how they would sound. Whith out the orignal vocals, I thought that they sounded better than ever. They changed the sound alittle but it was for the better. I think that every rock fan should have this album, and I can't wait for there next album to come out. If you get the chance go see them live.

I don't think anyone could sum up the feel of this album, the band, or the feelings people have about the band better than reviewer Skymac2. As others have mentioned, it was very tragic for Drowning Pool to lose their original singer Dave Williams. And I can't say I'm surprised that a lot of people don't seem to like this album, but some of these other reviews are kind of harsh. I also saw some reviewers ask why they're still calling themselves Drowning Pool if there's a different singer -- like they're the first band to do that or something (ever heard of Van Halen?). Basically, all I'm saying is, if you weren't planning to give this album an unbiased listen, I don't think you should review it.

I think it was suitable for the band to wait a couple of years before releasing this album, because it doesn't make it look as though they're breezing by the subject of Dave's death. And who is this new singer, you ask? Well, the new guy is Jason "Gong" Jones, and I think he does a good job delivering the material. The music on Desensitized doesn't sound much different than the music on Sinner; the only thing that really sounds different is the vocals.

There are some good songs on here, like "Bringing Me Down" and especially "Killin' Me" (that guitar in that song is addictive). And "Step Up" is pulsating and driving, making it a good choice for the lead single. Some of the other songs need a little work, though (for example, "Hate" doesn't sound much different than "Step Up"). I won't say that Desensitized is better or worse than Sinner; I'll just say that if you like good metal and you have an open mind (I can't stress the latter enough), then you should be able to enjoy this album.

Anthony Rupert

P.S. In response to another reviewer, Jason Jones should die just like Dave Williams? That's extremely uncalled-for.

People can say what they want about the new album... but not all of them are from Dallas, and knew who Drowning Pool were before they finally made it big!!

Yes, the new guy, is OBVIOUSLY not Dave... Dave died!! What the new guy is... is as talented, if not more so. They have more great songs on this album than on Sinner. Yeah, it's a bit different sounding... what else can you expect?? For the most part, it's the same old DP... take it from someone who knew them longer than the mass public!

I was hesitant, extremely so, to get the new album... once I finally talked myself into buying it, I listened to it half way through, and left it sitting in my cd collection for a couple months. I finally broke down, gave them a shot, listened to it, and I mean actually listened, music, lyrics, and I was more than just impressed w/ what I heard. Anyone who says this sucks, or says they'll never be the same, or as good... is full of crap!

It's an awesome cd, w/ more "hit" worthy songs, and all in all a well put together arrangement. Check it out, you wont be disappointed.

I very much enjoyed Drowning Pool's debut, "Sinner", with vocalist Dave Williams. Even though I considered it nu-metal, it was just a cool album. Dave's death was very disappointing, but I knew the rest of the band could move on, and they have. After hearing "Desensitized" and seeing the band live with their new singer (Jason "Gong" Jones), I can tell you that they still rock. Jason Jones is capable of singing the old songs every bit as good as Dave did, and sounds just like him. But for the new songs, he has his own style, a style that apparently changed the band's sound to. The album's first single, "Step Up", sounds very similar to the nu-metalish sound you would hear on "Sinner"...but the rest of the material is more along the lines of Texas metal, such as Pantera or Down. There aren't many songs on here that stand out, but the album as a whole is quite enjoyable. As good as the album is, I give it 3 stars, because I'm trying not to be an easy critic, but this album is good. If you liked "Sinner" then there's a good chance you'll like "Desensitized". However, even if you weren't a fan of "Sinner", I still would encourage you to listen to this if you like other types of metal. And if you have the means, check these guys out in concert, they deliver.

Ok, as u know this is not Dave Williams. THe new singer is great though. Drowning Pool are back and stronger than before. The song Step Up is a Catchy, fun aong that any metal fan like me can appricate. Everything on this dosc is superb. SO IF UR GUNA BASH THIS BAND BECAUSE THEY SOUND DIFFERENT WHY DONT U TRY THIS CD OUT FIRST! Oh by the way, that 1 review that said Jason should die like Dave has a lot of nerve. Go buy this and give it a try. U wont be disapointed!

In Drowning Pool's own words, "forget, forget, forget" the negative reviews of this album. It rocks, period! So go (1) buy it, (2) unwrap it, (3) play it until you wear the disc out and then repeat steps one through three. Most of the negative reviews were probably written by other musicians who pay a little too much attention to the details and not enough attention to the overall album. So, to those of you who think this album sucks go drown yourself in a pool. To everyone else, live long and rock hard!