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08-17-07

 

READY FOR ROUND THREE

Puddle of Mudd preps latest album

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 08/17/07

BY ED CONDRAN
CORRESPONDENT

It's not easy reaching the top of the pop chart, and it's even more difficult to stay there.

Puddle of Mudd's album "Come Clean" was certified triple platinum thanks to a succession of hit singles, including the smash "Blurry," which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 five years ago.

"It was a surreal time," singer/guitarist Wes Scantlin said. "It was a time musicians dream about. It was incredible."

But the band's follow-up, 2003's "Life on Display," was a commercial disappointment. The group was assailed by music scribes and by peers.

"You can handle (the barbs and the lack of sales) in many ways," Scantlin said while calling from Edmonton, Ala. "It can be a little disturbing, but the best way to deal with all of this is to remain positive. It's hard to be in a place like we were five years ago. It takes a lot of work and luck. I'll always be happy that I was fortunate to just get there."

Puddle of Mudd recently finished its latest album, which is due in November. The new tunes will be showcased Thursday when Puddle of Mudd opens for Nickelback at the PNC Bank Arts Center.

"We have a nice mix in there," Scantlin said. "We have some nice ballads on the new album, some punkier songs and some straight-up rock tunes."