SCARSICK

I want to give the album 3 stars.but there is just something that is holding me back from it. This is an absolute 180 turn in terms of sound and songwriting. I love it when bands change their sound, but this type of music makes me feel like nobody can make it sound great, even Daniel Gildenlow himself. A possible challenge that Steven Wilson can address?

I don't really listen to artists that sound like this but from the scarce few times I have watched MTV, I would put this somewhere near, but not along the same lines, as Korn and Slipknot.I guess.

This album features the first line-up change since after the debut. All we have is the departure of Daniel's brother, bassist Kristoffer Gildenlow. Daniel decided to just take on the bass duties at the time and not search for a new bassist. So the lineup stands with Daniel Gildenlow (all the music, all lyrics, guitar, bass and vocals), Fredrik Hermansson (keyboards), Johan Hallgren (guitar and vocals) and Johan Langell (drums and vocals).

I haven't done a track-by-track analysis in a while, the album doesn't flow either so that might just make this easier.

'Scarsick' - This is probably the worst intro for an album ever. This song really contains a rap by Daniel with very boring instrumentation. Mainly just the same guitar riff over and over and some really loud drum work, hence the connection to Korn. Things only change around the chorus that could have saved this song like the next track, but that was pretty shitty too.

'Spitfall' - This is more of the same as Scarsick. The chorus is really good, but that will not save the entire song.

'Cribcaged' - 'Cribcaged' became on of my favorite Pain of Salvation tracks. The song is very moving emotionally, it still retains the anger of the first two tracks except the sound is very laid back and the guitars are creating some wonderful melodies. The ending to the track is a toss up. I personally love it, it is Daniel saying fuck to just about everything, but it isn't angst or pissy as some people describe it to be. If you listen to his voice you can tell it's not just a rant.

'America' - I mean come on. This was kind of dumb. I can't even begin how to describe this piece. Maybe a popular female singer like Britney Spears hit song done in Pain of Salvation style. The only thing I recommend listening to is the short breakdown in the middle that sounds like a Mandolin.

'Disco Queen' - The song was fun to listen to at first, but honestly, it's just downright dumb. I also don't really understand how this got turned into over an 8-minute track to. This is a dance song, Pain of Salvation style. And that is not a good thing. 'Kingdom of Loss' - This was my favorite track on the album after it came out, but it has certainly died down. It's still ok, but feels like this is just something that shows what was left of 'The Perfect Element' in the band.

'Mrs. Modern Mother Mary' - Is just downright awful. It is in the same vein of the title track. It is just non-stop repetition and has a bland chorus.

'Idiocracy' - Is more of the same as 'Spitfall'. They turned in a complete crap song with a decent chorus that makes the listener feel like Pain of Salvation still have some life in them.

'Flame to the Moth' - After hearing the first few seconds of the track, you have heard pretty much the whole 5 plus-minute song, the epitome of directionless.

'Enter Rain' - To me, this track lets me know there is still hope left. It is quite the eerie track with a superb chorus and outro. I like it quite a lot.

Even though this release was a slap in the face to fans, I will still support Daniel and his band in whatever direction they go. He has done some things that nobody else would have done and has had such an impact on me with music and life. I tacked on the half star because this isn't necessarily just for fans, this album can summon an entire breed of new fans, just outside a prog circle most likely.

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