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Living in constant chaos, aspiring to reach celebrity status and trying to make sense of everyday relationships seem to be common threads in alternative rock lyrics today. Fortunately, Puddle of Mudd conveys this state of confusion so well and with such energy in their third album, Famous.
Referring to this album, vocalist and guitarist Wesley Scantlin, who co-wrote all but one of the songs, comments “I really want to try to crawl under peoples’ skin and at the same time make some kick-ass rock ‘n roll music.” Well, the lyrics on Famous are hardly divisive, but they’re still creative and exuberant. The music is definitely “kick-ass,” with their grinding rhythms and fast-paced though simple
guitar riffs. Joining Scantlin are Douglas Ardito, (on bass, vocals and guitar) Christian Stone (on guitar and vocals) and Ryan Yerdon on drums.
The title track “Famous” says it all, portraying the superficial L.A. lifestyle. “I’m So Sure” slams superficiality in a universal manner, identifiable in Anywhere, USA. “Living on Borrowed Time,” my favorite cut on the CD, is yet another look at a defiant generation that has always been here. The entrancing “Psycho” illustrates where it all leads to or never left from. The album’s pace takes a leisurely turn in
spots, but never comes to a halt. It’s post-Nirvana with better vocals.
These catchy choruses will invade your brain and linger on. I’ve been chanting “Maybe I’m the one who’s a schizophrenic psycho” all day. I guess that says a little about me. I can’t reveal the other chorus I’ve been repeating in my head, at least not on these pages. Let’s just say, you’ve probably been thinking it also.
