ROAD SALT ONE

One thing I've heard every person that didn't like the album say is that it isn't prog metal, or prog, or metal at all. I've decided to stop trying to explain to everyone how attempting to label a band such as Pain of Salvation under a single genre, or even a couple, is a complete waste of time, since, probably, the most impressive attribute of the band is constantly re- newing themselves and changing image; and this new album is the greatest representation that the band doesn't fall under a label, but rather re-defines what self-style means in the music industry.

Let me kick things off by saying that at first I was dissapointed by the album. It seemd that ever since Scarsick, which I didn't like, and still don't like, my opinion on the band was so drasticly changed that I was unable to even open up for this new style that PoS has addopted. However I've heard the album quite a couple of times now and have decided to finally review it under 4 stars.

It is an album that pretty much every rock fan will enjoy and that only hard-dying metal or prog-metal fans will dislike. If you're expecting this album to be anything like Remedy Lane, or The Perfect Element you WILL be dissapointed. If you even think this is going to be similar to BE, you WILL be dissapointed. But if you just close your expectations on the album and just listen to it, you will see it as it is: A very well worked, well executed, delightful musical piece.

Once again it's a conceptual, yet song-driven, album. Daniel's vocals have a different tone and attitude but are still amazing and are the standpoint of the whole musical argument. From a lyrical perspective, it is, sincerely, not up to the standars you would expect to find from a lyrical genius such as Dan, but they are still quite good, specially in the strong soft- rock songs: Sisters and Road Salt. The general mood of the album is a type of country meets blues meets rock meets "cirque du solei" (Hope I spelled that right), and, again, if you leave your pre-conceptions behind and just give in into the music, you will be drawn into that mood and you'll find yourself singing alongside the songs and lovin' it.

There are music moments here for everyone, and the fact that they got invited to Melodifestivalen this year should be proof enough that the album IS strong. I believe that this one will draw attention to the band and win new fans that will eventually sink into the progressive rock scene without even knowing it, it is a powerfull masterpiece, even thought I am not awarding it 5 stars, that demonstrates once more, and better than ever, the bands´ constant search for experimentation, expanding horizons, musical growth and addaptation in a time where falling mainstream and repetition seems to be taking over the great bands of today.

I am glad to say I find it better than Scarsick and have plain confidence in this incredible bands music.

4 Stars, buy it.

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