Saliva Album: “Blood Stained Love Story [PA]”

As a proud owner of all Saliva's past work, I was very excited to purchase the newest release yesterday. As the album began, I was pleased with the opening track and eagerly anticipated more, gritty Southern rock. However, much to my dismay, instead I received dose after painful dose of soft, poppy, hook ladden top 40/American Idol-esque songs. With the exception of one track near the end, the rest of the CD belongs in the "easy listening" section, not rock/metal. Although I must admit, some of the chorus lines are a bit catchy, I was hoping for another CD to blast at the gym, not fall asleep to. This disc now belongs to my girlfriend, stocked away next to her Chris Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson and Kelly Pickler CD's... Very disappointed.

I was really anticipating this c/d. I have the rest of Saliva's c/d's and this one was pretty dissappointing. First of all, there are only 10 songs. (12 if you get the Best Buy release, but the 2 extra songs are so bad I wish they hadn't bothered) Saliva made themselves big by writing catchy, high-adrenaline, fun songs. This c/d lacks that in all but 3 tracks. I'm not opposed to slower songs (Back into Your System is my favorite Saliva c/d and its slower than their other releases) but if I wanted a c/d with nothing but slow stuff, I'd get a crappy Dashboard c/d or something.

Overall, the it isn't a horrible c/d, its just not what someone would expect from Saliva. The technial work on the guitar has improved and there a several awesome solos on the c/d. Josey does well vocally on most of the songs. The best song is Black Sheep. Other good ones are Ladies and Gentleman, Broken Sunday, and One More Chance. I'd still recommend it for Saliva fans, just be warned that its no Every Six Seconds.

I will admit I've been a Saliva fan since "Every Six Seconds" first came out, But I've also wondered why they can't seem to make another record as good as that one. As good as 2002's "Back Into Your System" was it never came close, in fact it included the first of their songs that I got very tired of hearing (Always) and the second (Rest In Pieces)...Even though they are both great songs. Fast forward to 2004 and we got "Survival Of The Sickest" an album that was a step forward, but still not great. It had kind of a cool southern rock feel to it at times. Which isn't a bad thing, but it still didn't feel like a genuine Saliva record to me.

So, When I first heard that "Blood Stained Love Story" was coming out in January, I got really excited. I figured maybe this was what I had been waiting for, a return to form. However, when I heard the album I was once again disapointed. It starts out okay....with the first single "Ladies And Gentleman" and "Broken Sunday"....Then it takes a wierd turn downward with "Never Gonna Change" which sounds like it could have easily been done by Clay Aiken or any of the other American Idol contestants. It's a slow song that sounds like a drum machine behind it, instead of Paul Crosby. But, I made myself listen further and It improves slightly with "King Of The Stereo" perhaps the only song that sounds like a saliva song on the whole disc. "One More Chance" and "Going Under" are both pretty descent songs, but when I listened to "Twister" I remember thinking, What the hell happened? It has to be the worst track on here, it's a very experimental song that I have yet to explain. It is however the records closer that is the most impressive, "Here With You" could very well be the nicest, most heart-felt thing this band has written. In one part he sings "I will come to you in a dream my friend, To love you when I'm gone". Overall this album is okay....But not great. This band could have done a whole lot better and I'm still hoping that the next album will be. On average, I wouldn't recommend this whole album to anyone, just the last song. If you want to hear Saliva at their best...I recommend the debut album, with that one you can't go wrong.

Stand Out Tracks:

"Here With You"

"King Of The Stereo"

"Broken Sunday"

"Ladies And Gentleman"

Every Six Seconds and Back Into Your system are the CDs to buy. Their third Cd was just 'noise' to me, I was so disappointed. As others have said this Cd is mostly ballads, but I would rate it better than their third CD. What happened? Every Six Seconds and Back Into Your System were awesome! If you want some kick tale Saliva buy Every Six Seconds and Back Into Your System you will not be disappointed. Save your money on number three, it's just noise (and I like good kick butt rock and roll!). This one, is better than the third and if you want something a little softer go for it but it is not the Saliva of past glory.

This is Saliva's fourth major label album, and definitely much better then their last album, Survival of the Sickest (which seemed rushed and shallow). This album is more in vein w/ their first two albums, both of which went gold. It has traces of nu-metal and monster ballad in it - but thats works.

My only problem is track 7 "Twister". The band should be named All-Saliva Rejects, b/c you can tell this song was written to appeal to the All American Rejects/emo punk crowd. I think they kinda alienated their fan base on this track. Very fake, very "with the times". Josey Scott sounds, least to say, ridiculous on this track - and I think he knows it...

Anywho - this is a solid album and its a great pickup, especially since many other similar artists have gone by the wayside. Saliva continues to make driving hard rock thats radio friendly. Check out tracks #1,2,5, and 10. 3.5-4 Stars!