Review: Puddle of Mudd- Welcome to Galvania
October 25, 2019
Well, it’s been one hell of a ride for Puddle of Mudd. It’s only been 10 years since their last record- Vol. 4l: Songs in the Key of Love & Hate released. Sure, that’s a long time between albums for most bands but frontman Wes Scantlin has had a rocky decade, to say the least.
There’s no reason to go in depth with his legal and substance problems but let’s just say the guy is lucky to be alive and not in prison. Now, he’s got a completely new band backing him and Puddle of Mudd has reactivated and this record is a perfect return to form for the band and they open it up with “You Don’t Know,” which has a very prominent Come Clean-era style to it and is a killer album-starter.
Lead single “Uh Oh” keeps this vibe going and is simple but catchy and is something you would have heard from the band on their aforementioned debut record or maybe even Famous. Other standout heavy tracks include “Go to Hell,” “Diseased Almost,” “Sunshine” and “Kiss It All Goodbye” while Puddle slows it down well with “My Kind of Crazy,” “Just Tell Me,” and “Slide Away.”
“Diseased Almost” shows the band can still shred and featured a signature Puddle of Mudd catchy chorus while “Just Tell Me” and “My Kind of Crazy” are strong ballads- not quite as good as a “We Don’t Have to Look Back Now,” but they’re up there.
“Kiss It All Goodbye” kicks it back up on the heavy meter before “Slide Away” ends the record on a soft, deep note, with Scantlin getting reflective. “If tomorrow was your last day, where would you go, what would you say?”
This is one hell of a way for Puddle of Mudd to return and shows Scantlin can still write, still play and still has what he had 18 years ago when the band hit the airwaves. With Scantlin finally clean, sober and in a good place, we would like to wish him the best of luck and congratulate him on his accomplishments. If one thing’s for sure about the rock world, it’s that the fans can put the past behind them and look at the future and the fans that were there in the beginning will be willing to take this journey with the band.
Rating: 8/10
-Reggie Edwards