Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
P.O.D.'s Most Mature Effort Yet., January 28, 2004
San Diego's own P.O.D. has made a triumphant return with their semi-self-titled titled album "Payable On Death". The album marks some significant changes for the band. Original guitarist Marcos Curiel has been replaced by Jason Truby, former guitarist for the pioneering speed metal band Living Sacrifice. Truby brings a more refined and technical approach to the band which is more polished than Marcos' raw and edgy guitar work. Throughout the album, Truby's playing shines with brilliance. The other change comes with singer Sonny Sandoval's vocal approach. On this album, Sonny actually sings on most of the tracks as opposed to screaming, rapping or talking. He also provides a definite reggae influence with his faux-Jamaican accent on several tracks. The band as a whole has definitely tightened up its musical arrangements and provides some solid, hard-hitting and downright impossible-to-dislike tracks including the lead single "Will You" as well as "Change The World", "Execute The Sounds", "Freedom Fighters", "Revolution" and the closing instrumental "Eternal" - the latter two tracks feature a special guest appearance from guitar legend Phil Keaggy whose performance is effortless especially on "Eternal". "Payable On Death" is P.O.D.'s most polished and mature effort yet. The band has definitely shown considerable growth musically and lyrically and has taken a big step forward. Although none of the tracks on this album mention God or Jesus Christ by name (an element which has garnered some harsh criticism from some people), it isn't difficult to hear where the band is coming from with their music. The band's hearts are definitely still in the right place and this album continues to show that while P.O.D. is a band that is surely in this world, they are not of it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
P.O.D. is reborn - simply amazing!, November 4, 2003
By A Customer
Wow, I don't think I can find the words to describe how truly beautiful this album is....what an incredible piece of work from top to bottom. If you've heard P.O.D.'s previous stuff and didn't really care for it, give this album a chance because this certainly isn't the same group! In addition to a new guitarist Jason Truby, each member has matured greatly in their style, leaps and bounds ahead of "Satellite". The music is so raw, the vocals so filled with passion. It may shock some of their fans at first, but it's obviously a huge step in the right direction for this band. One of the biggest highlights has to be the instrumental piece that closes out the album called "Eternal". Featuring one of the greatest guitarist to ever pluck a string, the legendary Phil Keaggy. Phil is one of Jason Truby's biggest musical influences and the two blend perfectly together on this 7-minute track. "Payable on Death" is worth every penny, pick it up yourself and see what the Revoluuuuuution is all about!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Payable on Death, December 22, 2003
P.O.D. came together for one reason and one reason only. To make good hard rock music.They were never made to be artsy or experimental. They don't take huge risks in their sound, but they do show progression in their style and can crank out the hits better than most bands today. There previous effort, Satellite, went several times platinum for a reason. They can write good songs. There latest self titled record does take a few risks but still has that great POD sound fans love. This has been said about other rap rock acts such as Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, and Saliva but for POD it actually rings true for EVERY track, The rap verses are gone. Sonny sings out on every track which is surprisingly refreshing when you hear it. There awesome track, Sleeping Awake, which was on the Matrix Reloaded soundtrack was an advanced look at what their new record would sound like. They still maintain a sonic intensity but now it's much more refined. They even do a cool twist on their reggae style songs making the riffs much more edgier than previous stuff they've written such as the song, Execute the sounds, which is just waiting to hit so it can rule the air waves. Guitarist Truby brings nothing new to the band despite his background in classical jazz guitar. Unfortunately he's doing what he was hired to do, and nothing special really comes out of it. This is a record I have yet to get tired of. I can play it through with only one or two tracks that are maybe too cheesy for their own good such as "change the world." The last two tracks Asthma and Eternal are great because you go from an intense song like asthma to a well done instrumental track with just guitars. It's a simple yet beautiful way to end the record. What surprises me is how most people fail to see where P.O.D. is going with their sound. Sonny seems to channel Bob Marley himself on several tracks such as Revolution and Freedom Fighter. They play with so much soul and I believe thats what makes them stick out over similar acts that I mentioned above. They really have something to sing about, something that they are passionate about, something they believe is worth living and dying for. It's a fun record thats got some great songs on it. There former guitarist marcos is now in his new band called the accident experiment, with singer pete stewart. It's a great project that is much more experimental than P.O.D. and worth checking out. I highly recommend it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|