Lovehatetragedy
For their second major-label release, Northern California's Papa Roach follow the same recipe of other rap-metal crossovers: aggressive, thick-chugging riffs, angst-driven lyrics, and touches of good ol' classic rock. Tracks "Time and Time Again," "Born with Nothing, Die with Everything," and "She Loves Me Not" have big, fat, clever choruses, which would fit with ease on harder mainstream radio. Elsewhere, they are far more engaging: "M-80 (Explosive Energy Movement)" bashes away with punk stylings, and the sweeping "lovehatetragedy" includes interesting chord and tempo changes. Jacoby Shaddix (the vocalist formerly known as Coby Dick) gives an impressive performance, and while he might not have the power of most of his contemporaries, he makes up for it with his more melodic approach, even within his raps. The only thing that's lacking is a distinction factor that sets them apart from everyone else, but at least they didn't steal any Iron Maiden riffs this time.--Gail Flug