Papa Roach
The Connection
Release Date: Oct 9, 2012
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
Record label: Eleven Seven
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Album Review: The Connection by Papa Roach
Very Good, Based on 2 Critics
Based on rating 4/5
Nu-metal survivors Papa Roach’s sixth full-length is an exhilarating return to form. The tracks are grittier and crunchier, akin to their breakout albums Infest and lovehatetragedy, while incorporating the more radio-friendly elements of their later records. Vocalist Jacoby Shaddix is ballsy enough to even resurrect rapping, and with surprisingly strong results on standout tracks “Not that Beautiful” and “Won’t Let Up.” Most notable, though, is the raw, pounding, and pissed anthem “Give Me Back My Life.” The centerpiece of The Connection, it seems to sum up the album since, with it, Papa Roach have taken back that life for themselves.
Based on rating 6/10
Papa Roach's seventh studio album, The Connection, finds the California band finally striking a balance between its early roots as a nu-metal/rap-rock outfit and its more recent interest in '80s-style Sunset Strip hard rock. Featuring production from Sixx: A.M. frontman James Michael as well as Goldfinger's John Feldmann, The Connection includes some creatively slick sounds that flow from buzzy, processed distortion to pulsating, atmospheric electronic flourishes.
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