lovehatetragedy [PA] (CD - 2002)

Papa Roach: Jacoby Shaddix (vocals); Tobin (guitar, bass); Jerry Horton (guitar); David Buckner (drums).

Recorded at Royaltone Studios, North Hollywood, California.

Personnel: Jacoby Shaddix (vocals); Jerry Horton (guitar); Dave Buckner (drums).

Audio Mixer: Brendan O'Brien.

Recording information: Royaltone Studios, North Hollywood, CA; Southern Tracks, GA.

Photographers: Ken Schles; Danny Clinch.

Within the context of its times, lovehatetragedy is a gamble of sorts, as Papa Roach abandons their affiliation with rock/rap fusion (except for one highly effective moment on "She Loves Me Not") and hies back to their original pure metal- and punk-inflected hard rock stance. Lead singer Coby Dick certifies the change by reverting to his birth name, Jacoby Shaddix, but in other respects his performance sticks to its formula of gut-busting delivery and lyrics whose candor can get a little embarrassing. (On "Decompression Period," for instance, he essentially tells his band as well as his beleaguered wife that he's sick of being around them.) A few tracks, most notably "Singular Indestructible Droid," struggle toward metaphor, with mixed results. What can't be denied is that Shaddix's woes connect directly to a large and equally confused audience, and that nobody this side of Kurt Cobain communicates them with as much power. As always, his message rides a turbulent current of guitar/bass riffs whose militaristic precision only enhances their intensity. ~ Robert L. Doerschuk

On the follow-up to their major label debut Infest, Papa Roach expands the parameters of the aggro-rock blueprint they've drawn up by consciously putting their more overt hip-hop influences to the side. Writing most of LOVEHATETRAGEDY on the road while touring as part of Ozzfest 2001 gave main lyricist/vocalist Jacoby Shaddix (the artist formerly known as Coby Dick) plenty of time to reflect over relationships with his band, significant other, himself, and the world. Pouring his energies into singing rather than rapping (with the exception of the groove-driven "She Loves Me Not"), Shaddix addresses depression (the murky "Black Clouds"), the enormity of 9/11 (the melodic title track) and existentialism (the thunderous "Life Is A Bullet").

Papa Roach delivers a Phillip K. Dick-flavored cyber-tale derived from a conversation with Slipknot's DJ (the sinister, RATM-like "Singular Indestructible Droid") and even gives props to Shaddix's recently deceased dog (the pounding "Time And Time Again"). Best of all are a pair of bonus cuts that include a simmering cover of The Pixies' "Gouge Away" sure to put a smile on Frank Black's face.

On the follow-up to their major label debut Infest, Papa Roach expands the parameters of the aggro-rock blueprint they've drawn up by consciously putting their more overt hip-hop influences to the side. Writing most of LOVEHATETRAGEDY on the road while touring as part of Ozzfest 2001 gave main lyricist/vocalist Jacoby Shaddix (the artist formerly known as Coby Dick) plenty of time to reflect over relationships with his band, significant other, himself, and the world. Pouring his energies into singing rather than rapping (with the exception of the groove-driven "She Love Me Not"), Shaddix addresses depression (the murky "Black Clouds"), the enormity of 9/11 (the melodic title track) and existentialism (the thunderous "Life Is A Bullet").

Papa Roach delivers a Phillip K. Dick-flavored cyber-tale derived from a conversation with Slipknot's DJ (the sinister, RATM-like "Singular Indestructible Droid") and even gives props to Shaddix's recently deceased dog (the pounding "Time And Time Again"). Best of all are a pair of bonus cuts that include a simmering cover of The Pixies' "Gouge Away" sure to put a smile on Frank Black's face.

On the follow-up to their major label debut Infest, Papa Roach expands the parameters of the aggro-rock blueprint they've drawn up by consciously putting their more overt hip-hop influences to the side. Writing most of LOVEHATETRAGEDY on the road while touring as part of Ozzfest 2001 gave main lyricist/vocalist Jacoby Shaddix (the artist formerly known as Coby Dick) plenty of time to reflect over relationships with his band, significant other, himself, and the world. Pouring his energies into singing rather than rapping (with the exception of the groove-driven "She Love Me Not"), Shaddix addresses depression (the murky "Black Clouds"), the enormity of 9/11 (the melodic title track) and existentialism (the thunderous "Life Is A Bullet").

Papa Roach delivers a Phillip K. Dick-flavored cyber-tale derived from a conversation with Slipknot's DJ (the sinister, RATM-like "Singular Indestructible Droid") and even gives props to Shaddix's recently deceased dog (the pounding "Time And Time Again"). Best of all are a pair of bonus cuts that include a simmering cover of The Pixies' "Gouge Away" sure to put a smile on Frank Black's face. minimize