Customer Reviews

Volume 4: Songs In The Key Of Love & Hate [Explicit]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am a big Puddle of Mudd fan and love their three prior CDs. I liked something about every single song on the new CD on the first listen, and was completely addicted to the whole thing by the second or third time through. These are extremely catchy songs. I kind of wish they'd dig a little deeper when it comes to lyrics--a song about playing hooky from what sounds like junior high or high school doesn't quite ring true given that these musicians are not 17 years old. Mainly, I just wish there was more of it! The whole thing is 35 minutes. This would have been a solid five stars if the lyrics had been a bit more adult, and particularly if it had been twice as long. Now I'm already waiting for the next one!

When Puddle Of Mudd released their 3rd album a couple years ago, they took on a very commercial style, and yet it was a great album because every song stood strong on its own. I kind of expected this album to be even more commercial sounding and stuffed full of ballads, but to my surprise it actually has much more in common with the band's first 2 albums. "Keep It Together" and "The Only Reason" are your typical radio anthems, but most of the songs like "Stoned", "Spaceship" and "Uno Mas" are just here to rock. The group also revisits their wanna-be-Nirvana style on "Out Of My Way", "Pitchin A Fit" and "Hooky." There's nothing special about this album, yet I've still been enjoying it quite a bit since it came out. Even though this album is called Volume 4, it actually sounds like the missing link between their 2nd and 3rd albums. If you've grown bored of Puddle Of Mudd, this album probably won't breathe new life into the group for you. However if you like what they do, then Volume 4 has more for you to enjoy, even if it's only 10 songs.

After listening to Volume 4,Puddle has proven to me, that they still have it in them,to make a solid album from beg to end.I liked all previous 3 of their albums and this one will be included.There is not one weak song,in my opinion.Rockers and ballads only done the POM way.Come Clean will always be my fave of theirs,but this one in time,could challenge it.So if you have been a POM fan since the beginning,I would give this a shot.It will surely not disappoint.My highlights were...Stoned,Spaceship,Keep It Together,Blood On The Table,The Only Reason and Better Place...

Always happy to hear that magical pitch of Wesley Scantlin trying to explode my eardrums. Great tunes, fun lyrics. A great addition to your "Always Cool Rock Collection". Although a much larger variety of tunes would have been even better than 10.

Unlike a lot of bands who can't keep producing great music after their first release, Puddle of Mudd keeps right on Track. I have yet to be disappointed with any of their CD's. Their music is true to form. It keeps getting better and better.

"Blurry" is one of my favorite alternative track of all time, so Puddle of Mudd's next releases will always be compared to it. This 10-track album is pretty good on the balance, better than their previous effort, possibly coinciding with the return of their former guitarist to the fold that spurred a roborant effort.

This is Puddle of Mudd at their best, as the songs are more electric with some encroachment of punk inculcated to it. If you're pining for good modern rock songs, then I suggest you check this album out as it delivers all the right noises.

Recommended tracks - "Stoned", "Keep it Together".

It's hard to rate an album by a band you're not a big fan of. You can't compare it to other releases by the band; you can't say whether they've progressed as a musical group. Furthermore, it's hard to rate an album filled with 10 generic, lyrically vomit-inducing rock songs that you can't stop listening to. Full disclosure here; I love 7 of the songs on this CD, I really like 1, and I don't know what to think of 2. I've been a casual Puddle of Mudd fan since Come Clean but never took the time to listen to a whole album by them. Now, Puddle of Mudd fans don't seem to be digging this album that much and I don't understand why. On sheer impulse, I want to give this album 5 stars. But, knowing that it's not exactly "good" and that, despite its addictive qualities, it will probably not warrant many rotations in my CD player 6 months from now...I respectfully give it four.

Wes Scantlin and the boys return to create more heavily-edited radio singles, kicking off this album with `Stoned,' a song that has Scantlin sounding like Richard Patrick initially. The song is a good way to start the album. `Spaceship,' the single, is the next track. It has atrocious lyrics ("a long time ago, in a galaxy far a wasted/I'm basted c'mon yeah"), but is so compulsively listenable. The first of two generic love songs `Keep It Together' is similar to the second `The Only Reason.' Both are terrific despite saying nothing new and nothing old in a creative way. On `Out of My Way,' Scantlin sounds like he has throat cancer and the song's bridge has a Stone Temple Pilots-esque vibe. `Blood on the Table' has Puddle of Mudd evoking early Alice in Chains demos, but is just catchy filler; If you wondered what Nirvana would sound like in 2009, listen to `Pitchin' a Fit'; `Uno Mas' is the most generic, simplistic song on the record, but has a very catchy vocal melody. It's the last two songs that make the most unflattering impression; `Better Place' is probably the most personal song lyrically, but the chorus is so nasally and loud, you'll feel like you were ear-raped by Scantlin. `Hooky' is just a song that can not be taken seriously. Lyrically, it's a stereotypical abomination. Musically, no one seems really into it.

Puddle of Mudd is not a band that will stand the test of time; they do have a knack for writing insanely catchy hooks and vocal melodies that will stay in your head for a while though. This is a really good album; very tight and focused, despite being as generic as it is. I'll be listening to this CD for a while and I'm sure you will too.

GRADE: B

This album was SO disappointing for me. Life on Display was awesome, Famous was pretty good, but this is just Nickelback/Hinder crap. It's not as bad as them, but it's close. Wes has a great voice that sets him apart from all the other modern rock bands that all sound the same, so hopefully they get back on the right path with the next record. I'm a good, clean, straight-edge guy, so it's always disappointing when a band I look up to stoops to the "drugs, sex, hookers, partys, more sex" thing. It's sad.

I never want to hear "Get your panties on the flo'" ever again in life.

I heard songs of POM on radio when they were on the top of charts. I was never a fan of them though I like their hit songs a lot. Until this year 2010 which is 9 years later. I heard they have made a new album so I give it a try again. Surprisingly, it sounded so great, nicely produced and edited. Songs were very well written. I don't know how many times I've listened to this album on my ipod, but i do listen to this CD for a month non-stop already. Vocal is fresh, guitar is roaring, drum is kicking, bass is pumping.

My favorite ones on this CD are 'better place', 'stoned', 'out of my way'. The melodies on these songs are beautiful. I admit many bridges on some songs are replicated. You can easily tell by the bass line. I still think POM are still kicking after all the members switch-up. Give them some love.

How can any Puddle of Mudd fan not like this? They can't. Great stuff. The boys have outdone themselves. Kicks ass from start finish!! Get it!!