The Audio Perv

When you listen to Papa Roach’s album “Metamorphosis,” you should know that you’re getting two different albums. You’ll find the Papa Roach you’ve grown to love (hard fast paced melodic rock about love gone wrong) and the newer Papa Roach that you’re not quite sure how to deal with (ballads, acoustics, comments on society). It’s still unclear which half dominates this new album.

Musically, the band sounds better than ever. Jerry Horton on guitar plays solid hooks and really drives the band’s sound, especially on songs like “I Almost Told You That I Loved You”, a tale of misguided love on a physical relationship (with a stripper or hooker?). Jacoby Shaddix’s vocals have expanded in range and he sounds great whether he’s singing (as showcased on the hit “Lifeline”), shouting and screaming on “Live This Down” (a pledge to combat a cheater by sleeping with all of her friends). What really carries this album is the rhythm section with the newly added drummer Tony Palermo (ex-Unwritten Law). Original drummer Dave Buckner left the group last year before tour and I hate to say it but Palermo’s playing blows Buckner out of the water. Palermo and longtime bassist Tobin Esperance shine on the track “Change Or Die” which is so good that it could’ve been on 2000’s “Infest”.

This album has two quality singles in “Hollywood Whore” (unofficially released last year about a girl whose “fame” has been overshadowed by her partying) and “Lifeline” (a song of depression or inspiration depending on how you view things). “Lifeline” is part of the newer Papa Roach that has spawned a new generation of fans for the band since “Scars” (2004’s “Getting Away with Murder”) was released. “Lifeline” is the best rock song of 2009 having hit #1 on all the rock charts. “I Almost Told You That I Loved You” is indicative of where the band is heading and we love it. Unfortunately, “Metamorphosis” has songs like “March Out Of The Darkness” and “Carry Me” which sound like weaker versions of other songs already on the album. It’s not quite filler but it would been acceptable to have a ten song album. Overall, “Metamorphosis” is a rocket powered of ass-kicking melodic hard rock.

Grade: B

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Lifeline – Papa Roach

Hollywood Whore – Papa Roach<