Source: Razor & Tie
Being away for 4 years in the music industry may be a negative happeneing for some bands, then there's P.O.D. Taking time off from touring and recording proved to be a renewing experience for the band. The new album Murdered Love is full of heavy riffs, feel good harmonies, and lyrics of truth; while showing that P.O.D. is fully clicking on all cylinders and have that youthful energy heard on their earlier albums. I've been a fan of the band ever since I heard The Fundamental Elements Of Southtown back around 1999. I have followed and loved P.O.D. no matter what and throughout every album. My review will for sure be bias, but I'm not compromising.
Murdered Love is what every die-hard P.O.D. fan has been wanting for years now; a return to the energy and grit that P.O.D. has always been known for. The guitars feel refreshingly raw and there's a huge level of energy on the album. Murdered Love covers every style of music that the band has played over their illustrious 20+ year career; everything from rock, to punk, hip-hop, to hardcore, funk, and some old school reggae mixed in too. While I have loved every P.O.D. album, The Fundamental Elements Of Southtown, Satellite, Snuff the Punk and Brown have been my personal favorites. Each P.O.D. album has something special about it and Murdered Love reminds me of all of those classic albums, while proving to be remarkably fresh and innovative. Sonny raps on nearly every song and I find myself convinced that I'm listening to their earlier records.
Murdered Love is the perfect summer jam (and all year round) with many of the songs having a Cali sound that is undeniable, especially on tracks like "West Coast Rock Steady" and "Bad Boy." There are elements of old school Snuff the Punk and Brown era P.O.D. in the songs "Bad Boy" and "Panic & Run." There are also songs such as "Murdered Love," "I Am," "West Coast Rock Steady," and "On Fire" that are reminiscent of The Fundamental Elements of Southtown. Tracks such as "Higher," "Babylon The Murderer," and "Eyez" really remind me of Satellite as well. "Beautiful" is one of my personal favorite songs off of the new album with, perhaps, my favorite lyrics on the album as well,
Murdered Love is the perfect summer jam (and all year round) with many of the songs having a Cali sound that is undeniable, especially on tracks like "West Coast Rock Steady" and "Bad Boy." There are elements of old school Snuff the Punk and Brown era P.O.D. in the songs "Bad Boy" and "Panic & Run." There are also songs such as "Murdered Love," "I Am," "West Coast Rock Steady," and "On Fire" that are reminiscent of The Fundamental Elements of Southtown. Tracks such as "Higher," "Babylon The Murderer," and "Eyez" really remind me of Satellite as well. "Beautiful" is one of my personal favorite songs off of the new album with, perhaps, my favorite lyrics on the album as well,
"too weak too weary to try
too angry inside, well so am I
I'm all alone with nobody else
so in need of help, I keep reminding myself that
life is beautiful..."
"Beautiful" is one of the best songs I've heard in quite some time and has become an anthem for me to press on in times of struggle. Guest appearances have always been a staple of P.O.D. and there are no shortage of them here. Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed lends his screams to the song "Eyez" and former Testify guest vocalist Sick Jacken of Psycho Realm appears on the title track "Murdered Love;" one of the band's most powerful songs, telling of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Then there's the Cali anthem "West Coast Rock Steady," which perfectly features a guest appearance by Sen Dog of Cypress Hill. This is another highlight on Murdered Love and one that covers P.O.D.'s roots, as well as, the journey that they have been on in the last 20+ years. "Babylon The Murderer" is a heavy, reggae song that harks back to the Satellite days, while being a tune that you can really bang your head to. "Higher" is very reminiscent of "Alive," both being a proclamation of faith and telling how life is a gift that should not be taken for granted. "Bad Boy" is a funk track that inhabits the older P.O.D. sound with an infectious, new groove, as well. "Higher" and "Bad Boy" have such a feel good vibe to them that you may easily find yourself in a good mood while listening to these tracks. Any fans that have been craving a throw back to The Fundamental Elements Of Southtown will be ecstatic when hearing the song "I Am." Conceivably one of P.O.D.'s most powerful, moving, and heaviest tracks to date, "I Am" is a song of redemption and hope, while featuring Marcos' signature clean, delayed, guitar!!! The Japanese bonus track "Find a Way" is a motivational song with a big time chorus, sick rap in the bridge, and a sound very reminiscent of Satellite or Testify.
All in all, Murdered Love is hands down one of my top favorite P.O.D. albums, mixing together all of the elements and styles that P.O.D. has always been known for. One of the things that really blew me away on the album (and makes it feel old school) was the background talking mixed into the songs, e.g., the end of "Bad Boy" or the beginning of "I Am" (the beginning mic check from Sonny reminds me of "Checkin Levels"). Murdered Love is an album of hope and faith, while showing that P.O.D. has stuck to their roots and have broken new ground in the process.
All in all, Murdered Love is hands down one of my top favorite P.O.D. albums, mixing together all of the elements and styles that P.O.D. has always been known for. One of the things that really blew me away on the album (and makes it feel old school) was the background talking mixed into the songs, e.g., the end of "Bad Boy" or the beginning of "I Am" (the beginning mic check from Sonny reminds me of "Checkin Levels"). Murdered Love is an album of hope and faith, while showing that P.O.D. has stuck to their roots and have broken new ground in the process.
Track Listing:
- Eyez (featuring Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed)
- Murdered Love (featuring Sick Jacken of Psycho Realm)
- Higher
- Lost in Forever
- West Coast Rock Steady (featuring Sen Dog of Cypress Hill)
- Beautiful
- Babylon the Murderer
- On Fire
- Bad Boy
- Panic & Run
- I Am
- Find a Way (Japanese Bonus Track)
