Ann 2
Alain
JennYPapa Roach - Metamorphosis Album Review
May 2nd 2009 20:45
Genre: Alternative rock, Alternative metal, Hard rock, Post-hardcore
Length: 45:14
Label: DGC/Interscope
In my review of The Fray's sophomore album, I pointed out how unoriginal they sounded – cheap knockoffs of Lifehouse, Coldplay, and Yellowcard. Although Papa Roach has been on the music scene far longer – Metamorphosis is their sixth album – they leave the same impression as The Fray but instead of sounding like soft-rock band such as Lifehouse and Coldplay, Papa Roach were definitely influenced by alternative metal bands such as Linkin Park and Lostprohets.
Metamorphosis starts off with an instrumental intro titled Days Of War. The track is very similar to Linkin Park's work on Minutes To Midnight with the claps accompanying the drums before the guitar(s) kick in. Imagine LP's “Given Up” mixed with “No More Sorrow,” and you've got Days Of War.
On Change Or Die, the influencing band is definitely Lostprophets. The high-tempo track sounds exactly like a slowed down version of “We Are Godzilla, You Are Japan” mixed with “The New Transmission.”
Both Days Of War and Change Or Die left me with a bad feeling for the rest of the album because this wasn't just a case of songs sounding a bit like other artists; from the first thirty seconds of both tracks, I immediately knew who it sounded like, and the rip-off was simply too obvious for me.
Hollywood Whore was a bit more respectable since its structure had an inkling of the old Papa Roach. The following track, I Almost Told You That I Love You, was similar to Hollywood Whore. But here again, the masquerade continues as the chorus is sung in the same melodic tone as in Lunatic Calm's “Leave You Far Behind.” Fortunately, in this instance the similarity isn't that apparent. You'd have to be a music junkie like me to see where both songs sound alike.
The fifth song, Lifeline, is probably the best track so far. The chorus is very catchy and sing-along worthy as it goes “I've been looking for a lifeline / For what seems like a lifetime / I'm drowning in the pain / Breaking down again / Looking for a lifeline.” Some might call it a emo song, I wouldn't go that far especially after watching the video below. The track is well-sung, the instrumental is pretty good with an Angels And Airwaves guitar intro. Every part hits the right way.
Had Enough is an anti-war song which seems to be standard in the music industry these days. The opening guitar riff sounded familiar but I just couldn't place it. Decent song. The lyrics reminded me of Good Charlotte's “In This World (Murder).” Comparing both bands is like talking about apples and oranges but in this case, the lyrics are pretty similar.
The second half of the album turns out to be much better than the first. Apart from Live This Down which sounds like what Simple Plan would sound like if they were a metal band, the remaining tracks are more diversified.
March Out Of The Darkness and Carry Me are two nice slow songs. March Out Of The Darkness stands out with its acoustic guitar and a nice solo while Carry Me has a sing-along chorus. Other tracks are Into The Light – great guitar riff and nice solo – Nights Of Love, State Of Emergency, and Lifeline (Live From Crüefest).
I've been sitting on this review for about a month because I felt that I was being way too harsh after my first listen. Thirty-some days later, I still feel the same way. Metamorphosis is an enjoyable record but it all sounds familiar, a bit too familiar in the case of certain songs. I give it a 3.5/5.
| 44 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Thanks for stopping by...visit my other posts and don't forget to subscribe to the email feature. A notification will be sent to you when something new has been added.
Comment by DougW.
Pop Musicology
Comment by Ann 2
Muzikal Mafia
Canadiens Watch
Football Slate
I'll make sure to drop by your site from time to time