http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/16228059.html
10-08-07
Coming
back
from
the
deadliness
of
a
hiatus
is
tough
stuff
and
most
bands
fall
under
the
pressure
or
fade
into
the
backdrop.
With
a
tour
in
progress
and
a
new
CD
coming
out,
the
question
Friday
at
the
Newport
Music
Hall
was
whether
Puddle
of
Mudd
could
still
play,
especially
after
their
last
album,
"Life
on
Display,"
did
not
succeed.
The
crowd
has
spoken,
and
the
result
is
this:
Puddle
of
Mudd
has
returned
in
full
swing,
appearing
ready
to
reclaim
their
place
in
the
limelight.
The
band's
intro
was
a
pulsating
rhythm
of
tribal
drums
that
resounded
throughout
the
music
hall,
segueing
into
a
cutting
guitar
solo
by
front
man
Wes
Scantlin.
The
show's
journey
was
an
escalating
experience
for
the
entire
audience
as
Scantlin
and
his
band
made
a
point
to
involve
them
while
staying
true
to
their
set.
The
band
was
energetic,
entertaining
and
clearly
committed
to
its
music.
The
songs
flowed
unique
to
one
another
in
brilliant
harmonization.
Although
the
band's
chemistry
is
undeniable,
it
was
lead
singer
Scantlin
who
truly
shined.
His
stage
presence
is
enough
to
seal
the
deal,
but
with
the
addition
of
immense
talent
on
the
guitar
and
his
unique,
gritty
vocals,
he
has
the
makings
of
a
legend.
Scantlin's
sound,
style
and
appearance
is
similar
to
that
of
Kurt
Cobain,
lead
singer
of
the
revolutionary
grunge
band
Nirvana.
Puddle
of
Mudd's
cover
of
Nirvana's
"Breed"
at
Friday's
show
was
eerily
identical
to
that
of
its
original
performers.
And
while
most
Puddle
of
Mudd
fans
might
be
aware
of
this
likeness,
the
band
would
be
wise
to
exude
caution
against
coming
across
as
imitators,
but
instead
clarify
a
unique
identity.
From
Friday's
crowd
response
alone,
Puddle
of
Mudd
clearly
has
the
chops,
and
it
seems
their
time
away
from
the
spotlight
has
done
them
a
lot
of
good.
The
singles
they
released
at
the
show
from
their
new
CD,
including
"Psycho,"
"Merry
Go
Round"
and
"Famous"
were
raw
and
entertaining,
demonstrating
the
band's
evolution
while
staying
true
to
the
original
sound.
When
lead
guitarist
Christian
Stone
was
asked
about
their
new
CD
release,
he
claimed
to
be
very
happy
with
the
way
it
turned
out.
"It
sounds
a
lot
like
the
first
...
(Abrasive)
was
a
lot
darker
and
this
one
has
more
of
a
poppy,
radio
single
feel
...
we
just
really
took
our
time
on
this
and
I
think
it
sounds
great."
Puddle
of
Mudd's
opening
band,
South
Carolina-based
Deepfield,
is
an
impressive
new
group.
While
most
bands
come
off
sounding
cliché
or
formulaic,
Deepfield
has
not
conformed
to
the
typical
sound,
but
spawn
a
gritty
grunge
feel
with
a
metal
backdrop.
While
most
openers
get
little
crowd
response,
Deepfield
was
well-received,
and
may
be
making
a
name
for
themselves
in
the
near
future.
Puddle
of
Mudd's
new
CD
"Famous"
will
be
released
Oct.
9.
Deepfield's
debut
album
"Archetypes
and
Repetition"
is
in
stores
now.