P.O.D. [When Angels and Serpents Dance]
Posted September 24, 2008
By christianmusicreview,
[Main Review]
Gone are the garage band “youth of the nation” kids who dazzled us with songs that haunt and define our teen-aged years. These are the same guys all grown up, with new themes and styles, and new thoughts to shout about. There is a definite market for this type of music, although traditional POD fans may be surprised at the new style. Still mixing rock and reggae, the diverse range of music has taken on a solidly softer sound. This album may not grab the same huge fan base gained with the release of “Satellite,” but there is still substance to the music that will attract fans ready for the more sophisticated POD.
Although there is some definite passion coming out in the first song, “Addicted,” what exactly he is addicted to is rather illusive. At first it seems like a song about God, talking about the changes that come in life, but that idea is squashed in the last line of the chorus, “WHY DO I LOVE YOU WHEN I KNOW YOU’RE WRONG?”
“It can’t rain everyday” is a definite highlight, telling three separate stories about people in difficult situations that seem hopeless. When things seem to be going ok, something always happens to knock you right back down. But even though these pits feel impossible to climb out of, the song gently tells the listener that “EVEN THOUGH YOU FEEL ALL ALONE/ IT CAN’T RAIN EVERYDAY/ IT DON’T RAIN FOREVER/ YOUR SUNSHINE MAY BE GONE BUT I KNOW/ IT CAN’T RAIN EVERYDAY.”
This album also has a few guest appearances, with Bob Marley’s daughters performing some background vocals in the track “I’ll Be Ready”
Track 7, “End of the World” is a song about judgment, how just watching the news makes us feel like we live in a world of chaos. This might be true, but I would have liked to hear something in the song bringing the chaos into perspective, that no matter what happens or who is in authority over us, God is in control. The song kind of ends in a hopeless chant. “IT NEVER GETS BETTER BUT WORSE… ARE WE GETTING WHAT WE DESERVE? SO TAKE IT FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH/ CAUSE IT FEELS LIKE THE END OF THE WORLD TO ME.”
“This Ain’t No Ordinary Love Song” is vague, filled with meaningless word plays and nothing extra-ordinary at all. It could be about any kind of relationship.
The title track, “When Angels and Serpents dance” asks the listener moral questions about good and evil. Who do you dance with, angels or serpents? “WHO’S LEADING YOU? EVERYTHING YOU SAY? EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO? BELIEVING WHAT IS TRUE? ONE MUST LEAD IN THE DANCE/ WHO’S LEADING YOU? LIFE’S REAL WHEN ANGELS AND SERPENTS DANCE.” Life is a battle of temptations, and the outcome will always depend on what you are letting lead you.
A lyrical highlight is “Tell Me Why.” It echoes the old sentiments of youth of a nation, that we can make a difference. “TELL ME WHY? WHY MUST WE FIGHT? AND WHY MUST WE KILL IN THE NAME OF WHAT WE THINK IS RIGHT? NO MORE! NO WAR!”
Finishing out the album is “Rise Against,” a great song about standing up for what you believe in. Kind of ironic coming right after “Tell Me Why” which speaks of how our differences are killing each other. But the difference is important and hopefully listeners will not misunderstand. Killing for what you believe in and dying for what you believe in is nearly the same as the difference between a patriot and a terrorist. Be willing to stand up for what you believe in without killing people because they disagree is the message.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
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One real positive in this album is how unique their sound is. There are not too many bands out there that can boast reggae, punk rock, heavy metal mixed and live to tell about it. The songs are made up of what seems to be abstract poetry. It could mean lots of things to lots of people, which many fans appreciate. People like sticking their own meanings into artist’s songs. Over all this is a very interesting album, and POD fans will not be disappointed.
Rating: 7.7 out of 10 (77%, C+)
Review written by: Liz Zelinski
(liz.zelinski@christianmusicreview.org)
Review can also be found at:
http://www.christianmusicreview.org/pod_angelsandserpentsdance.html
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