Kiss The Machine
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PUDDLE OF MUDD – KISS THE MACHINE – ALBUM REVIEW
As far as easy targets go in the rock and metal world, Puddle of Mudd, through their own self-annihilation, have to be a contender for the easiest. Disastrous business moves, an ever-changing line-up, cringeworthy covers, lacklustre releases, disgraceful live shows, a lengthy list of controversies and legal issues… did we miss anything?
Here’s the thing, it wasn’t always that way! Their debut album, ‘Come Clean’, is still a great record and it produced some of the biggest hits of an era dominated by heavy music. The follow up, ‘Life On Display’ also had some real quality moments and even their third album, ‘Famous’ wasn’t devoid of credible hits.
From there on in though it’s just been a constant downhill slide that has shown no signs of stopping. We weren’t even aware that the band released an album (albeit of previously unreleased takes) in 2023 but apparently they did!
That surprise followed our discovery that they have a new album out now! Yes, ‘Kiss The Machine’ represents the bands seventh album and arrives at another turning point for the band. We say band, but the undoubtedly talented but unreliable singer Wes Scantlin is the only remaining notable member (as he has been for a good while now).
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Even since that alleged 2023 release however, Scantlin is the only the member still around. He is joined by three new musicians who with any luck might re-focus his creativeness and bring about a change in fortune.
Sadly, ‘Kiss The Machine’ isn’t going to change any opinions or heal any reputations as it’s just not it. Despite only being nine tracks and thirty minutes, it’s a slog to get through this record. The tracks sound like poor imitations of Puddle of Mudd, with a rough production and misguided attempts to freshen the sound – the dance vibe at the conclusion of ‘Back Against The Wall’ just feels like uncool dad against the dancefloor he’s overseeing at his kids party.
Lyrically the album is jam packed with clichés and tired rock n roll tropes which again scream mid-life crisis. It’s really sad to see an individual with such talent, clinging on to something that just needs to be left to rest now. Any positive legacy for Puddle of Mudd has been almost entirely erased at this point, and as someone who still loves their early work – that’s just sad.
If Scantlin can ever recover his soul and his creativity then we are ready, willing and able to not take those easy shots and spread joy at his return. But this album most definitely isn’t that moment in time.
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