Puddle of Mudd's debut dirty

Including the line, "I love the way you smack my ass," in the first track of a band's first album is not the most eloquent way to unleash musical fury on the world. Try telling this to Puddle of Mudd.\nReleasing yet another 11 tracks of nu-metal pop, post-adolescent anguish to the airwaves, Puddle of Mudd's national debut has the sound of success. Read: this album sounds like much of what you might hear on MTV, the radio or perhaps at next year's May Day concert at Verizon/Deer Creek. This does not necessarily mean Come Clean is a terrible album, just don't expect a new sound from this quartet. \nOne explanation of the band's typical album sound might be co-executive producer Fred Durst, who first created his own sort of fame with the antisophisticate style of Limp Bizkit. Otherwise, let's give credit where credit is due: to vocalist and guitarist Wesley Scantlin, guitarist Paul Phillips, drummer Greg Upchurch and bassist Douglas Ardito (the latter three also on backing vocals).\nCome Clean first launches into it's attack on society, rejection and the plights of a bad childhood with the distortion of "Control," a tune torn between needing your girl and hating it when she pushes you around. Next comes the acoustic guitar intro-ed "Drift and Die," another song reeking of loneliness within the confines of society's supervision. Add Scott Stapp-sounding vocals, a standard rock rhythm section and continue the distortion-switch-acoustic-switch-distortion routine, and you have the flavor of the album. \nSome of the later tunes are generally catchy in a "bob your head as a self conscious concert-goer" type way. The poppy "She Hates Me" is amusing with its conflicting happy sound and bitter lyrics. \nRegardless of the band's un-surprising sound, the album is not a total failure. Come Clean is well-produced and composed of four-minute excursions into the "alternative" rock world. If you are into that sort of thing, pick this album up. The musicians have perfected the radio formula while retaining some amount of wit and skill.