Album Review — Godsmack

Godsmack — When Legends Rise

I don’t listen to the radio. I have so much music that I don’t find the need to listen to the radio. Since I’ve been able to play music from my phone/mp3 player in my car, I’ve seen no need to listen through the commercials and songs I don’t like. It’s been a good 10 years or more since I’ve listened to the radio with any frequency. The downside of not listening to the radio is I don’t hear new bands. I wouldn’t categorize Godsmack as a new band, but by the time I would have heard them on the radio I was long gone. So although I may have heard a song or two of theirs over the years, I’m going into this review with virtually no experience with them.

On the opening track my first thought was Creed. Much like Nickleback, Creed evokes that same cringe from most folks. But put aside a few sappy ballads and Creed was one of the bands that kept rock music up front in the early 90s. I liked much of what they released early on and on more than a few songs I hear a lot of early Creed on this record.

Listening through the record I have very few complaints. It’s melodic, I like the singer’s voice, it’s heavy enough but not forced. That is usually a recipe for a winner for me. But for some reason the album just doesn’t stand out.

I do like “Every Part of Me” and “When Legends Rise”. They are both solid rock songs. “Someday” is another strong song. But the album lacks that something that makes me sit up and listen. There are a lot of good ingredients here, but it’s lacking that something that makes it special. I think the main issue I have is with the songs themselves. They sound pretty similar to each other — not a lot of variance between the songs. With all the music out there these days and so many options in my collection, there has to be something to grab you.

That being said, overall I do like the record as a whole. There aren’t any songs that I dislike and there are 3–4 songs that stand out among the rest. Having not heard any of their other records, I don’t know how it compares but now I can say I know who they are and I have a positive impression.

Overall — 80 out of 100

Track Listing

01 — When Legends Rise *
02 — Bulletproof *
03 — Unforgettable
04 — Every Part Of Me *
05 — Take It To The Edge
06 — Under Your Scars
07 — Someday *
08 — Just One Time
09 — Say My Name
10 — Let It Out
11 — Eye Of The Storm *

*Best Songs