P.O.D. – When Angels and Serpents Dance – review

Artist: P.O.D.

Title: When Angels and Serpents Dance

Label: Columbia

Rating: 4/10

Corporate line:
The lineup that took P.O.D. to multiple platinum success with The Fundamental Elements of Southtown and Satellite (featuring “Youth of a Nation,” “Alive,” “Boom,” and “Satellite”) is back to reclaim their place atop the rock scene with their Columbia Records debut, When Angels and Serpents Dance!

Our fans are excited and we’re having a lot of fun,” says vocalist Sonny Sandoval. “After four years Marcos is back in the band and we’ve got new music. Things are exciting again. When the four of us are in a room making music it’s definitely right and Marcos brings that passion for music into the band.”

The quartet’s renewed vigor is evident throughout When Angels and Serpents Dance. From the searing guitar which kicks off the hard-rocking first single, “Addicted,” and the striking and poignant, “End Of The World” (complete with gospel choir!); to the album’s most ferocious track, the savage “Don’t Fake It.”

“It’s just great to get back to basics and give it another whirl & tap into our souls.” says an inspired Marcos. “This band is a supernatural experience to me! It has literally surpassed many of my vivid dreams…I’m blessed and excited to reconnect with family & friends. I hope to pursue & establish the passion that began in 1992 with 4 brothers who just followed God, dreams & our music.”

Best cuts:
“End of the World” – I would have been in favor of P.O.D. doing a cover of the R.E.M. song rather than this original release. Even so, this isn’t a terrible song–especially compared the rest of the album.

The rest:
“Addicted” – This is a mediocre rock song which has become part of P.O.D.’s M.O.
“It Can’t Rain Everyday” – A bland ballad that sounds tired. Where has P.O.D.’s mojo gone?
“I’ll Be Ready” – An awful attempt at a reggae-tinged rock song.
“This Ain’t No Ordinary Love Song” – This sounds just like every song they have ever written as a mid-tempo love song.

Finally:
If “God Forbid” were the one and only song you heard from When Angels and Serpents Dance you’d throw the album out the window. P.O.D. sounds like they are going through the motions. This is a bad album. Not mediocre–bad. At this point abandon all hope and look for something else.