Customer Reviews

When Angels and Serpents Dance [Vinyl]

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Who would have thought that God's favorite rap-rock band, a band which sold millions of records during a very short lived trend, had both the courage and the ability to evolve? On their seventh full-length effort, P.O.D. reunite with original guitarist Marcos Curiel (who was ousted from the band in early 2003) and boldy go where they have never gone before. Shedding their nu-metal skin completely, P.O.D. have managed to serve up their most mature, most soulful, and most unique effort to date.

First things first: this is not the same P.O.D. you rocked on your discman in high school. To be blunt, if you are expecting a return to the golden "Satellite" era, you will be sorely disappointed. The hip-hop element has almost dissolved and given way to a much more original sound. Like Linkin Park's "Minutes To Midnight," but to a lesser extent, "When Angels & Serpents Dance" shows a band who doesn't want to remain a relic of a faded genre. Take a few listens to this album with an open mind, and you're likely to agree that this is the best thing they have done since 2001.

The whole album sounds centered around the return of Curiel, and it's a welcome breath of fresh air. Marcos' riffing is what originally defined the band, and he effortlessly carries the band into progression. Songs like "Shine With Me," "Condescending" and "Rise Against" are his stage and are likely to please even the most jaded of fans. Elsewhere, the band as a whole takes giant leaps towards a new sound. "It Can't Rain Everyday" is an example of the refined melodic sense the band gained on 2006's "Testify," taking P.O.D,'s sound in an unexpected direction. There are all sorts of little surprises like that one peppered through the album. "Roman Empire" is the best instrumental the band has created to date -- simply gorgeous. "God Forbid," which features the voice of Helmet, Page Hamilton, is the grungiest P.O.D. have gone to date, while "Kaliforn-Eye-A" delivers a deliciously decadent blast of hardcore with Suicidal Tendencies' Mike Muir in tow. Simply put, there's plenty of variety to be found and not a band song among the bunch.

Sure, this isn't the P.O.D. you are used to. Yes, it definitely takes a few spins (and some really good speakers) to appreciate, but it's hardly a disappointment or a step backwards for anyone willing to give it a chance. If anything, P.O.D. have ensured that they have a bold future ahead of them. They have managed to rid themselves of a trendy stigma without giving way to convention. What more could you ask for?

ok. I think it should be safe to say that I am a huge POD fan. I have been a representative on their street team for 4 of their 5 major label releases. but for some reason when Marcos came back... and when they released their new single "addicted" I was a bit skeptical.

sure... I did like it a lot

and I was happy that Marcos was back

but I was expecting a return to Satellite which sold them over 4 million records worldwide.

but then I heard the entire album and why they chose "addicted" as the single I do not know.

I am a big fan of this band so on every album I have found enjoyment in just about every track... if a song was not the best or catchiest musically it never really mattered to me because Sonny always had something to say that I could relate with or that would inspire me.

but on this album...

(perchance one song)

EVERY SONG (in my opinion) could be a single

the only way that "condescending" was not their single, in my opinion, is that the chorus has vocal layers and might be a bit hard to understand on a radio level

but why they did not choose

"end of the world"

"it can't rain all the time"

"shine with me"

or the title track "when angels and serpents dance" as the main single

I do not know

this album is a refreshing step in a musical way for POD for me.

I expect it to win back a lot of the fans who left when Marcos did...

and not just because he is back in the fold

but because these songs are that good!

This is definitely a progression from POD's recent releases with the welcoming back of guitarist Marcos. This album is a great mix of classic POD style rock and a more ballads than we have seen before (think Set Your Eyes to Zion and Youth of the Nation). POD recaptures the magic from past works like Satellite. The album is great listened through, start to finish. The message of the album, "This life is a dance, who is going to lead you? When Angels and Serpents Dance" permeates throughout with the traditional uplifting and encouraging lyrics we have come to expect from Sunny.

The stylistic difference in having Marcos back is very evident, and pleasing to hear.

In summary, Welcome back Marcos! You were missed!

Back in the day, when P.O.D. was singing about "Babylon" and being an "Outcast," I became a fan. I was already on the bandwagon when "Satellite" hit the streets on 9/11, and I was thrilled to see these guys get the attention they deserved. They've never been the deepest of lyricists, nor the most amazing musicians, but they've had a heart and soul I could not deny. They seemed to relate to everyday people. They wore their faith on their sleeves, while never cramming it down our throats.

"When Angels and Serpents Dance" is a return to form as well as a step toward new things. There's a cohesiveness here, with Marcos back in the mix, that was missing from the grittier "Testify" and the artsy "P.O.D." The words are still somewhat standard form, but true to the Southtown vibe. The music ranges from mild rapcore to melodic to bits of orchestration. As a longtime fan, I'm happy with the overall result. I wouldn't call this their best album, but I can certainly listen to it numerous times without needing to skip over any tracks. The mellower tunes are still catchy, and there are some unexpected rhythm changes in other songs.

If you're a fan, this is good stuff, though not their best stuff ever. It's nearly an hour of music. It might be more accessible to those who have not yet hopped on board. I hope the next disk pushes the limit on all edges, giving us unrestrained passion. I don't regret buying this one, though. I'm glad to see P.O.D still rocking through their second decade together. Keep rockin' from the big S.D.!

"When Angels and Serpents Dance" marks another change in P.O.D.'s sound. They still have some great tastes of rapcore and reggae, and Marcos' amazing guitars have returned, but this album also brings new stuff to the table. Overall, this album has a bit of a brighter sound, with more focus on melodic guitars than driving backbeats.

Personal highlights on the album: "It Can't Rain Everyday," a very sad but uplifting ballad, "I'll Be Ready," a great reggae tune, and "Addicted" and "When Angels and Serpents Dance," both reminders of the classic P.O.D. sound.

Some fans will be unsure of this album, as it has more new musical elements and doesn't follow the old formula. Personally, while not my favorite album from the band, I'm happy to hear their new ideas, ecstatic to have Marcos back ('Roman Empire' is a great piece). This felt more like "real P.O.D." than their last release (Testify).

When you hear Marcos' familiar guitar picking guitar riff style you'll realize how incomplete they have been since Satellite. No disrepect to Truby who filled in just fine in the self titled record and sort of found his place in Testify but Marcos has always been the soul behind Sonny's stone cold truth-filled lyrics. This isn't any more apparent then when you reach "It can't rain every day" and if you don't feel a lump in your throat then you may be a cyborg. I'd get that checked out if I were you.

What you won't get is a retread of Satellites most popular sounds. The record is surprisingly ballad heavy but don't be afraid, I don't mean bland ballads like their previous "let you down" where Truby just slept through that song with generic drop d tuning. Marcos backs up Sonny's ernest vocals with a guitar lead that speaks with every note, never dull, and always intriguing to the ears. Just when you think they can't top themselves they hit us with "the end of the world" which is a certifide concert closer if I ever heard one. P.O.D. has put their ears to the ground and are saying what all of us have been thinking for so long.

Those looking for something a little louder won't be left in the cold. "Kaliforn-Eye-A" brings the head bobbin grooves with a little bit of dare I say old school Chilli Peppers thrown in with some classic screaming. They also fare much better on their more radio friendly rock tunes "Condescending" and "Shine with me" again sighting Marcos more unique guitar stylings bringing every song to that extra level making them much more than they could have been. No P.O.D. record is complete without a nod to their love for Bob Marley Reggae style music and "I'll be ready" even manages to put a neat twist on that sound.

Perhaps "rise against" was one ballad too many but who am I to complain? P.O.D. is complete again. The record doesn't dissapoint if you are willing to give your heart to the record instead of focusing on simply banging your head. I can't wait to hear it all live on their next tour. It's not what you expected; its even better.

P.O.D. have made a few changes since Testify. Frontman Sonny Sandoval has chopped his signature dreads off his and the band has switched from Atlantic Records to Columbia Records. Then fortunately guitarist Marcos Curiel. who played guitar on their previous successful albums The Fundamental Elements of Southtown and Satellite has returned to the band. All these factors combined seem to be positive for P.O.D. They have matured and progressed from the rap-rock-reggae hybrid style they produced before and have written more mature crafty songs but still with a neat groove.

This album still has radio friendly hard rock hitting tracks. with songs like "Condescending", "Addicted" and ""End of the World". which features a gospel choir, something I wouldn't have expected from P.O.D. In fact this whole album is filled with hard-hitting radio friendly rock tunes. It also has guest appearances from Mike Muir of Suicidal Tendencies and Helmet's Page Hamilton, so you really can't miss with this release.

I just finished my first listen through of P.O.D.'s new album, When Angels And Serpents Dance. My initial thought is that you can tell just by listening that they are independent artists again (Columbia Records is the distributor, but indie label INO Records is the main label backing the band here). It's nice, because it means that P.O.D. is able to focus more on what they want to do than pleasing a record label, and when they are able to do that it works quite well. Stylistically, this album has a couple hailbacks to pre-Atlantic years P.O.D., but on the whole this is more of a follow up to their self-titled album with Jason Truby than Testify was. If all that is gibberish to you, all it means is this album is more melodic rock than, say, Satellite (which had the songs "Alive," "Youth of the Nation" and "Boom"). It is mellower than I thought it would be, but it works quite well with a few splashes of straight up metal shining through.

On the whole, I think like their self-titled album, in time this will be considered by fans to be one of their best albums, but it might take a little while for them to get used to the new style as it is a complete departure from their old rapcore sound. It is also noteworthy that Bob Marley's daughters and Mike Muir of Suicidal Tendencies are guest vocalists on two separate tracks.

On the whole, I have to give it 4.5 out of 5 stars (Amazon doesn't allow half star ranks here). . . a rating I am surprised at myself.

Today I picked up the new P.O.D. record, When Angels and Serpents Dance. I honestly didn't know what to expect. Honestly I was blown away by Sonny's vocals. I'm a big fan of the band, not only because of their positivity, but because of their diversity. So, I don't understand why I see people talking about how the threw their copy in the trash or returned it. The band has always had this experimentation in their souls, especially on the last 3 records. This album is full of heart and soul, like all their records, but in a more relaxed way. There are aggressive segments during the songs, but is overpowered by melody. When I started listening to the album, I almost thought Sonny gave up his reggae style, but 4 songs in it came out beautifully. He, especially has grown massively during the process of this album! I thought Truby did amazing on the last two records, Payable on Death was my first record and fell in love, but it's great to have Marcos back...His heart and soul is all over the record. If you're looking for something with a little aggressiveness, but you're in the mood to lay back while driving on a beautiful sunny day, with some nice speakers!!! This is the album for you! One more thing and I'm done, the instrumental AWESOME, but way too short...it's like right when Wuv puts down his beats the song ends, :(...If you want to know what I mean, BUY THE RECORD! God Bless, great record!

There are some strong songs on here, but it seems like something is mising, perhaps the production or the normally HUGE chorus vocals are scaled back....you won't be disapointed, but I think some of their earlier work showcases their talents a bit more. IF you like POD, check out Fozzy as well...some big sing along chorus songs on there, I really liked the Fozzy CD, All That Remains Reloaded.