ROAD SALT ONE

If Scarsick will be remembered as the Pain of Salvation album that Gildenlow and band "jumped the shark," Road Salt must be the album where they give us all the middle finger while backstroking in the tank as we cry out for more of what made them great during the early 2000's.

Road Salt salt is an unapologetically different sound for this prog metal band, one that is stripped down and simplified in almost every way fans will imagine. Pain of Salvation gets my respect for taking risks, but not my appreciation for creating this languid, unengaging, joyless, and self-indulgent collection of 3-minute songs that are essentially just excuses for Daniel Gildenlow to sing about abuse and sexual dysfunction. After listening several times I don't feel like I have anything to walk away with.

Sonically the production and guitar style gives us a unique tone for the band, and if you listen hard enough you'll hear some interesting guitar textures and rhythms. However, from a song writing perspective this album has nothing for me to enjoy. Some reviewers have commented that this is more of a "classic rock" style album, but one thing classic rock bands do well is have FUN with their music. When has Gildenlow ever written a song that wasn't weighed down with chains of pathos, bitterness, or psychological scars? The lyrical content just doesn't work here, despite what a great singer Gildenlow is. Instrumentally the album is restrained and understated, occasionally breaking in to fits of dynamic aggression, but mostly vamping to the vocal melodies with nary a solo or memorable moment to walk away with. This is classic rock that would never make it on to the radio in any decade.

The result is an album that just isn't enjoyable to listen to. Definitely for serious fans of Gildenlow or those that want to slit their wrists to lyrics like, "I'll touch you where it hurts. And you can touch me. Come on and touch me where it hurts." No thanks.

Songwriting: 2 - Instrumental Performances: 2 - Lyrics/Vocals: 2 - Style/Emotion/Replay: 1