SCARSICK

(4.5) Awesome. Those trashing this album as "commercial, mainstream, and pop" are really really missing the point. Every single song ultimately works because flaws are overcome by each song's unique strong points. Mrs. Modern Mother Mary seems to be one of the least favorite tracks on the album for fans, but I think it has some of the best lyrics on the album. Dancing Queen just has such a great concept, and though Enter Rain contains some of Daniel's weakest lyrics to date it also sports one of his strongest vocal performances. For such a diverse work its remarkably consistent and overall just refreshing. While bands like Tool age and mature musically, and bands like Opeth evolve and progress, Pain of Salvation changes are abrupt revolutions. It seems most fans, especially those a little disappointed by Be particularly, were hoping for Perfect Element Pt. 2 and instead we got this surprising outing. In the monotone, formulaic, and boring state of modern music, the very notion that this album criticizes, what better way to augment that message than to make something so unexpected?