Famous by Puddle of Mudd
The l-o-n-g awaited album by Puddle of Mudd. The current single “Famous” has been playing on rock radio since May 2007. Leave it to the record companies and lawyers to get in the way of an album releasing on time! This may possibly hurt the CD on the charts since listeners have cooled to the title track while waiting for the CD to drop. We also haven’t heard anything from this band since the 2003 release of “Life on Display.” Hopefully, listeners haven’t forgotten how hard Puddle of Mudd can rock and they’ll pick this one up.

The title track, as well as “Merry Go Round” and “I’m So Sure” show Wes Scantlin penning some of his best. Word of advice: Don’t be an ex girlfriend of Scantlin. He seems to write best when scorned and for god-knows-what-reason he has been there often. (Girls, what is wrong with this guy?) His I’ve-been-wronged-and-no-body-cares style works for the band and fuels some head banging guitar crunch.

I’ll wager that “Thinking of You” will be the next single. It’s radio friendly and gives a much softer look into the band. Girls will dig this song: Guys will learn to play it. Another radio possible track is the Nickelback-alike “We Don’t Have to Look Back.” Again with the softer and friendlier “girl rock” but you have to give them credit for reaching out to both sides of the market.

“Radiate” is this album’s “Blurry.” It’s got that lilting, lower register that Wes does so well. Still guitar driven, but this is a vocal standout. Could be another big hit.

If fans haven’t forgotten the name Puddle of Mudd, then this release will do well because it’s just plain well written. Period. Right now the best career move would be for these guys to start recording another album right immediately. Release it in the spring and go out for a summer concert tour. The music industry and consumer dollars wait for no one- let’s not have another four years between releases!

Labels: new music Tuesday, review