Papa Roach

Within the context of its times, lovehatetragedy is a gamble of sorts, as Papa Roach abandons their affiliation with rock/rap fusion (except for one highly effective moment on "She Loves Me Not") and hies back to their original pure metal- and punk-inflected hard rock stance. Lead singer Coby Dick certifies the change by reverting to his birth name, Jacoby Shaddix, but in other respects his performance sticks to its formula of gut-busting delivery and lyrics whose candor can get a little embarrassing. On "Decompression Period," for instance, he essentially tells his band as well as his beleaguered wife that he's sick of being around them, while "Decompression Period" sounds even less optimistic about what lies ahead. A few tracks, most notably "Singular Indestructible Droid," struggle toward metaphor, with mixed results. What can't be denied is that Shaddix's woes connect directly to a large and equally confused audience, and that nobody this side of Kurt Cobain communicates them with as much power. As always, his message rides a turbulent current of guitar/bass riffs whose militaristic precision only enhances their intensity. The loosest thing on the album is "Gouge Away," a concise jam on a Pixies chestnut with an unguarded vocal coda that suggests Shaddix may allow himself to enjoy a bright moment every now and then. [The UK edition appends the video for "She Loves Me Not" to the end of the album.] ~ Robert L. Doerschuk, All Music Guide