P.O.D. - 'Payable Upon Death' (Atlantic)
1/5
By: Matt Tomiak
OK - so we'll try and make no judgements about a band who actively promote the fact they are a 'Christian Rock' group. We will, however, remain quietly skeptical about guitarist Jason Truby's confident assertion that 'Jesus is the only name by which mankind can be with God.'
But no punches shall be pulled with regard's to P.O.D's music: it's largely uninspired. 'Payable On Death', the San Diego foursome's third LP, is packed full of tragically hackneyed nu-metal-isms. The lyrics are similarly trodden-on territory; all overgrown teen-angst moodiness. And the cover is likewise bordering on innocuous.
Honestly, this lot make Alien Ant Farm look like avant-garde radicals. The trouble is, it's so bloody self-serious too (the po-faced 'Freedom Fighters' being perhaps the chief culprit). Even when merciful respite from the turgid, overwrought rock occurs, P.O.D. are often just plain OTT; witness the cod-reggae 'Execute The Sounds', opening with the cringeworthy couplet, 'I man a mad stylee, underground/We come cool and deadly with that natural sound.' Eek.
OK, so the laid-back instrumental 'Eternal' is just about tolerable. Yet, precious little else on 'Payable on Death' is.
Artists in this article: P.O.D.
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment