Saliva, known for writing extremely catchy songs with little to no lyrical value, are at it again with their fourth major release "Blood Stained Love Story." Although they've eased off the rap-rock pedal and are shifting towards a more laid back sound don't be fooled - this is most definitely still a Saliva record.
"Ladies and Gentleman" kicks the CD off with a boom, or at least a chorus revolving around the word "boom."
"Ladies and gentleman/boom/do you want it/boom/do you need it/boom/let me hear it," sings front man Josey Scott. The song sounds as if Saliva wrote for the sole purpose of creating a new WWE theme song.
The next two tracks, "Broken Sunday" and "Never Gonna Change," drastically slow the pace of the album. It's unseemly that Saliva chose to follow the first song, which serves as an informal warning of the "ass kicking" listeners are about to experience, with two songs that rely on slower tempos and melodies.
The following track, "King of the Stereo," is the most paramount example of a Saliva song. It sounds almost identical to their 2001 hit "Click Click Boom," which also had a prominent line about a stereo in it. As a matter of fact, "King of the Stereo" actually contains the phrase "click click boom."
But hey, if it worked before, repackage it and try to milk out another hit.
"It only took one song for you to realize/click click boom the king is here tonight/The whole world is waiting for the/king of the stereo/this is too damn hot," Scott sings, again.
"One More Chance" is a showcase of repetitive lyrics. The 15 mutterings of the phrase "one more chance" quickly become overkill, though there are some fist-pumping riffs to be had.
"Going Under" proves to be the most endearing track on the album. Scott's voice sounds significantly mellower here than it does on any track in his salacious back catalogue. One would not think that Saliva would be capable or willing to write a song about wanting to change and or be normal, but they've done just that with this emotional gem.
"Why can't I be normal like everyone else/why can't I become something more than myself/I reach and I'm trying to believe in me/but its just too hard to see."
The next song, "Twister," is without a doubt the most banal song on the record, sounding like something straight out of a "Full House" montage scene. It makes Jesse and the Rippers sound like Pantera, which is no easy feat.
For the two steps backward that was "Twister," Saliva makes a stride in the right direction with "Black Sheep." Imagine Dream Theater's "As I Am" without the words and you have this "original" composition. As the heaviest track on the album, it reassures the weary listener that Saliva still has the cajones that were so evident on their debut release "Every Six Seconds."
"Blood Stained Love Story" begins its mellow conclusion with "Starting Over." It appears to be about Scott's wife. There is no doubt that Scott has earned himself some serious brownie points with this one.
Saliva's Southern roots and musical influences are most evident with the closer "Here With You," which plays like a modern take on a Johnny Cash song - a strangely fulfilling end to a strangely eclectic Saliva CD.
Despite mediocre lyricism and a couple of missteps, "Blood Stained Love Story" is a commendable effort from Saliva. It may not contain the angst-ridden anthems that one would expect from the group, but it also proves that in no way has their musical mouth run dry.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
