Godsmack Album: “IV”

Following up 2003's "Faceless," which received a mixed critical response, Godsmack release their fourth full length disc. "IV" was advertised by the band as being a more "experimental" album. Some skeptical people think the world will see Jesus' second coming before Godsmack make an experimental album. But Godsmack have definitely proved their cynics wrong, because this album does sound quite a bit different than "Faceless," 2000's "Awake," and 1998's self-entitled debut. There are several melodic songs on here, so "IV" has a somewhat gentle, tuneful, and harmonic edge. Thus, this album might not have as many good, heavy riffs as before, but it is definitely easier to swallow than `Smack's previous discs. Plus, frontman Sully Erna gets to actually sing on several of these tracks, and his lyrics are (for the most part) solidified.

The album opens with two somewhat disappointing but tolerable songs, "Livin In Sin" and "Speak." The former song kind of goes no where, and "Speak," which is the single, has some good hooks, but it sounds a little too familiar. But then things start to look up. "The Enemy" is a dark, "Awake"-esque song, with catchy, hard-hitting riffs over a lurching rhythm.

Track four, "Shine Down," is where the melody first makes an appearance. This song does have a few guitar riffs, but Sully's singing voice (which is actually pretty good) prevents it from being very heavy. A wailing harmonica solo, which wouldn't be out of place on a country music or Led Zeppelin album, is also included here.

"Hollow" is a somewhat pretty song with non-threatening, acoustic guitar strums and crooning. It might be a b-side from Godsmack's 2004 unplugged EP, "The Other Side," except this song also includes some female backing vocals.

The next two songs, "No Rest For The Wicked" and "Bleeding Me," return the album to Godsmack's heavy, riff-centered roots, but "Voodoo Too" is again melodic. It's a catchy little song (which is a sequel to 1998's hit single, "Voodoo") with tribal drums and a tasty (albeit brief) guitar solo.

"Temptation" is maybe the best of the heavy songs. It falls into a deep, thrashy groove and is backed by strong, churning riffs.

Finally, "Mama" and "One Rainy Day" are the last two songs. "Mama" is sort of in the same vein as "Shine Down" (it has more of Sully's very decent singing), and "One Rainy Day" is a dreary, depressing (though somewhat meandering) ballad which features very docile instruments and vocals.

All told, "IV" is easily Godsmack's most mature, well balanced, well-written, consistent, and all around best release to date. It's good for old-school fans, because there is plenty of headbanging-worthy material here, but you should also definitely check it out if you aren't a fan of their first three discs. This is a new side of Godsmack, one which we haven't heard before, and one which is significantly grown up and improved. Isn't it amazing what a little melody can do for a band?

That is what you should be, I don't know... Maybe I am the only one left in the world with this bands first album, but I dare you to compare the two... I did it to prove a point to a friend. Listen to the original "voodoo" and then "voodoo II" it is just a crying shame!!!

Godsmack's first album was what I label a "halfer", there were some definite excellent songs present "Whatever", "Immune", "Voodoo", but the rest was weak lyrically and muddled with the electronics. When "Awake" came out I was very impressed and I still consider it one of the best hard rock albums available and I don't think there is a bad track on the album. I had high hopes for Godsmack at that point and then "Faceless" came out. Not even a "halfer" this time. A few good songs, but mostly rehashed sounding and I did not care for the new drum sound (a lot of "tinny" cymbals and high cracking snare, ala Staind). Maybe it was a glitch, a rush to put out something after long periods of touring. However, this new album is again BORING. I really like the reviewer who compared it to a bottle of shampoo and pointing out that Disturbed is much the same way. These are good bands, but they are doing the same thing over and over, and it just shows that they are not musically inclined enough to evolve. Yes AC/DC has used the same sound over and over, but they came up at a very different time in music and they now exist on the marketability of their name (much like the Stones), they know that they are putting out crap, but people will still come to see them live. Godsmack has a good sound, its just played out. I have held out hopes of for many bands in the past (Metallica, Rush, Sabbath, etc.), but they just got lazy and I ended up with a bunch of crappy CDs in my collection. Good luck to Godsmack, but I won't be buying anymore of their stuff.

I think that the whole concept of this CD has much to do with Sully's life and the changes he went through in 2005. He has given up smoking and drinking, and I think it's a vital change that has improved song-writing. The whole CD sounds different than the previous ones. It's more fresh. They've changed amps, and while Faceless was dominated by Tony's leads, here are many vicious riffs from Sully. It is their most mature album, that brings new things into their sound, such as 'Shine Down' with this cool, old-school harmonica solo, 'Hollow' which is a touchy acoustic song, and the Lisa Guyer's voice composes very good with Sully's voice. 'Voodoo Too' also brings some magic(k) that is Godsmack's trademark, it sounds more rock, and the drums are heavier but the tribal influences can be well heard, I would risk claim that it's better than original 'Voodoo'. Another example of progression and maturity is the last track, which is kinda different than the previous Godsmack ending tracks. It is very slow, with unique atmosphere, and great lyrics. Sully Erna did very, very well producing this album. Lyrically, this album is their most mature and creative. I like to listen to this album from the beginning to the end, I don't skip any track. I think 'Speak' deserves #1 on Mainstream Rock, it maybe considered simple or not progressive, but it's catchy and it's a great choice for the first single. Godsmack is the only rock band that has gotten 13 singles in Top 10 Mainstream Rock tracks, and I wish them all the best. I would even risk saying that this CD overwhelms Metallica's efforts after Black Album, which is very strong claim, I think, for someone who listens to Metallica since 1994.

Well, they've done it again! I was sceptical that this album would be able to be as good as Faceless. But, as usual, Sully and the guys proved me wrong, making an album that only gets better the more and more I listen to it. The deal was sealed once I saw them live! The lyrics are more pure, the songs with the right amount of kick, not much but not too little, and they even have what could be considered a ballad and it even rocks, in Hollow, which also happens to be one of the best songs on the CD. Sully's vocals are pure, Tony's guitars along with Robbie's bass kick, and of course Shannon's solid drumming make this album one of the years best! Shannon's skills behind the skins are some of the best I've seen, since Neil Peart, and then when you combine his with Sully's, HOLY SHNIKES!!!! Good Job Guys, Keep Um Coming!!!!