The stalwart post-grunge/nu-metal outfit's first collection of new music in a decade,
Welcome to Galvania sees
Puddle of Mudd, or more specifically
Wes Scantlin, attempting a rebirth of sorts. The newly sober frontman is seeking redemption via decibels and confronting his past in ways that flip the traditional
Puddle of Mudd approach to writing lyrics on its head. Listeners expecting frat-party metal tropes in the vein of past glories like "She Hates Me" and "Blurry" will be disappointed, as
Scantlin and company are looking to atone for their misdeeds instead of building sonic temples to them. Punchy opener "You Don't Know" chronicles the struggle, while the radio-ready follow-up "Uh Oh" moves on to the acceptance stage, leaving the slow-burning closer "Slide Away" to mop up the mess with some hard-won advice.
Scantlin's nasally
Kurt Cobain-aping delivery remains as divisive as ever, especially on songs like "Go to Hell" and "Sunshine," where the affectation feels almost intentionally comedic. A few of the songs, namely "Just Tell Me" and "My Kind of Crazy," cast their lines into significantly more commercial waters, opting for strummy, midtempo balladry over muscle while retaining the predictable turns of phrase, agreeable melodies, and workmanlike execution that have served as the band's foundation since they emerged on the scene in the early 2000s.
Welcome to Galvania is
Puddle of Mudd's most mature and self-reflective outing to date, but while the message may have changed, the song remains the same.