Search - Drowning Pool :: Full Circle

And the verdict is...

Ragzy | OKC, OK | 07/16/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"When I insert a new CD, the first thing that strikes my ear is the production quality of the disc. Strike #1, in this case, is the absolutely TERRIBLE sound quality of this CD. I just have to wonder what everyone was thinking (or what drugs they were on) when they demo'd this in pre-production. The drums are lifeless, the vocals are muddy, and the guitar sound is both. If a CD isn't sonically decent sounding this day in age, then there is a major problem at the helm for your group. Take for instance Ryan's vocals on the SOil Scars album that was released in 2001. His vocals are powerful and crisp. On "Full Circle," it sounds like he is in a room full of reverb. Basically in a tunnel. I could have even lived with a sub-par guitar and bass sound if the vocals and drums were acceptable sounding, but this is atrocious. The snare and bass drum sound is, next to the vocals, the most important sound to get right on a release and they bludgeoned it. I have a good sound system in my car and with two, 12-inch subs, the bass drum barely hits at all. As for the content, the lyrics are pretty mainstream which is a turn-off, but I would have to say "Reborn" is a quality song as well as "Enemy," "Shame," and "37 Stitches." All I can say about "Rebel Yell" is oh my god. Just terrible. Ryan McCombs definitely makes Drowning Pool a contender in the rock genre, but overall, DP are mediocre at best musicians. I haven't heard the newest release from DP, but it wouldn't be too difficult to improve on this effort. In no way, shape, or form worth the 10 bucks I spent downloading the whole album."