Saving Abel

"I'm so addicted to all the things you do when you're going down on me," sings frontman Jared Weeks in his best Kroeger-cribbing croon, jumpstarting Saving Abel's first single -- the Nickelback knockoff "Addicted" -- with a slab of sexual bravado. Led by competent vocals, familiar melodies, and plenty of guitar muscle, the band's self-titled debut makes all the right moves for a modern rock release. The biggest problem, then, isn't found in the band's musicianship, but rather its intentions. Within Saving Abel's first five minutes, Weeks sings about women pleasing him in bed, losing their clothing in his car, and doing god knows what behind closed hotel doors. Talent aside, he comes across as less of a vocalist and more of a kiss-and-tell showoff when he gloats about such sexual escapades, and the band unfortunately sets itself back with its first two songs. Several tracks later, "18 Days" blends blue-collar power balladry with wholly positive lyrics, sounding vaguely like Candlebox's "It's Alright" with Chris Daughtry at the helm. The song is perfect fodder for modern rock radio, but only when it's taken out of context, since Saving Abel is still stinging with the aftershocks of testosterone overload by the time that tune rolls around. Over the course of the 11-track album, the band does manage to upright itself, leaving the listener to wonder why Saving Abel chose to lead off with grungy cock rock instead of a more endearing number. After all, when an album contains this many ballads, a hard rock band has the rare opportunity to amass a number of female fans rather than bank on the male audiences that support Puddle of Mudd, Nickelback, and other such groups. Unfortunately, Saving Abel's track list doesn't do this band any favors, although that certainly doesn't negate the co-ed appeal of "18 Days," "Beautiful Day," and "Sailed Away." ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide