Personnel: Jamie Muhoberac (piano); Howard Benson (keyboards, programming); Lenny Castro (percussion).
On its fourth major-label album, THE PARAMOUR SESSIONS, Papa Roach continues in the vein of its previous outing, GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER, by once again downplaying its rap-metal roots in favor of straight-forward, hard-charging heavy rock. Although vocalist Jacoby Shaddix throws rap-like cadences into the verses of the surging lead single "To Be Loved," the song breaks into a soaring chorus, revealing the California-based band's knack for melody. This notion is furthered on "The World Around You," a brooding mid-tempo track, and the dynamic "Forever," which moves from quiet passages of chiming guitar lines (courtesy of ace six-stringer Jerry Horton) to a full-blown anthem. Though some may miss Papa Roach's hip-hop leanings, PARAMOUR proves that the group is at its best when sticking to the basics. minimize