ROAD SALT ONE

"Road Salt One" was PAIN OF SALVATION's seventh studio album released in 2010. And the followup to their most controversial album "Scarsick". And while "Scarsick" took us to places that we weren't expecting in the form of rap and disco, it was at least a very entertaining and diverse record. It was a very much a mixed bag with lots of highs and lows. And a big part of their fan base pretty much rejected it, they didn't "get" it. Gildenlow's response is "Road Salt One".

This is about as vanilla of an album that you will hear from this band. No memorable solos or songs even. The metal is all but gone! Instead we get a lot of vocal led bluesy tunes with plenty of piano. This is so not my thing. It was painful putting this on each time knowing I have over 50 minutes to get through. I was hoping of course that I would warm up to it, but unfortunately not. This is a tough listen. And the opener "No Way" is a perfect of example of the sound on this record. Vocals come belting out of the speakers in that bluesy style with piano supporting. This continues on the next tune "She Likes To Hide" before the ballad-like "Sisters" which is the worst song of the first three.

More blues and vocals on "Tell me You Don't Know" and "Sleeping Under The Stars" but there are two songs that I like on this record. "Linoleum" which is a great title, gives us some metal at least, and the closer "Innocence" which is also the longest at over 7 minutes hits the spot. I like those descending harmonies reminding me of ALICE IN CHAINS on that final song. The song prior, which is the title track is ballad-like with reserved vocals and keys. More vocals and piano on "Where It Hurts". "Curiosity" isn't too bad as it has some energy despite being fairly lightweight.

A low 3 stars and the worst of their first seven studio albums in my opinion. Gildenlow and company continue to forge new paths in their music but at the same time becoming more and more irrelevant until "The Passing Light Of Day" in 2015.

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