Saliva's ninth studio LP,
Love, Lies & Therapy, continues the harder-edged sound that was introduced in 2013 after
Bobby Amaru replaced founding vocalist
Josey Scott, who had left the band to pursue a Christian solo career. As the second album with
Amaru at the helm,
Love, Lies & Therapy takes further steps away from the
P.O.D./
Papa Roach rap-rock of early
Saliva hits -- the only remnant is the propulsive "Click Click Boom" sequel "Go Big or Go Home" -- and firmly plants
Saliva v2.0 in similar territory to contemporaries
Shinedown and
Drowning Pool. This also marks the debut of bassist Brad Stewart, whose elastic delivery replaced
Dave Novotny in 2015. Here,
Paul Crosby's drums pound harder and
Wayne Swinny's guitar soars (especially on album-closer "Hand in Hand"), complementing
Amaru's strong, gritty vocals. While much of the material on the album is fairly standard hard rock, slick production courtesy of
Amaru and
Nolan Neal at least creates an enjoyable listen. Themes of addiction, regret, and fighting the urge to end it all permeate the record, directly confronting the demons on the poorly titled but infectiously catchy "Bitch Like You" and the brooding "Broken Wings." The slower, midtempo moments recall
Daughtry and
Fuel (take "Unshatter Me," for example), while refreshing acoustic offerings ("Breakdown" and "Loneliest Know") are moving cries for help that sweep and swell with atmospheric orchestration. The biggest surprise is a cover of
Michael Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us," which remains faithfully melodic to the 1995 original. Capturing
Jackson's frustration and rage with appropriate rock fury, the soulful track ends up sounding like
Saliva doing
Living Colour. Fans in search of a retread of the grunge-rap of the
Scott era may need to revisit the band's older material, as
Love, Lies & Therapy is a straightforward exercise of pure aggression and strength. ~ Neil Z. Yeung