Crooked Teeth Album CoverOn May 19, 2017, Papa Roach released their ninth studio album, Crooked Teeth. For a band who has been around as long as they have, nine albums is a pretty decent track record. It is usually anticipated that each record should get better as the band goes along and makes progress in sound and production. However, I feel that this time around, Papa Roach fell a little short of that mark.
Don’t get me wrong, Jacoby Shaddix still sounds as incredible as he did on Infest in 2000. Time has been kind to that man in many, many ways, and vocally, he’s still a powerhouse. When it comes to the rap metal thing, he’s still got it. Vocally, he’s untouchable, and Crooked Teeth is no exception.
It’s understandable why the track, “Help,” was chosen as their first single. It hearkens back to the Papa Roach of old – the powerful vocals being driven by the forceful, crazy slick instrumental backings we have all known and loved. All of the members of Papa Roach deliver it at incredible levels on “Help.” And, to be honest, they had me at hello, once again, at that one.
For me, though, aside from “Periscope” with Skylar Grey, the rest of the album feels flat. The first track, “Break the Fall,” sounds like about eleven other songs I’ve heard before from other artists. They enlisted an assist from Machine Gun Kelly on “Sunrise Trailer Park,” which isn’t a horrible move on their part. Machine Gun Kelly does draw a pretty good crowd of diverse listeners, and his fans eat up everything he releases and is part of. So, clearly, this song will draw that crowd.
Back to “Periscope.” The addition of Skylar Grey on this track was genius. Her voice is absolutely pure magic. Pairing her with Shaddix creates a beautiful blend and quite the duet. The lyrics are fairly repetitive, but the song is a solid one for right smack in the middle of the album.
Another standout for me is the final track, “Bleeding Through.” The instrumentals are very controlled on this track. Lyrically, it’s smart. Instrumentally, it’s beautiful, really. And, overall, it doesn’t feel like anyone is trying too hard to prove anything.
That’s the thing; Papa Roach doesn’t have to prove a thing to anyone! They’ve been a household name for the generation that followed them in the beginning who are now able to take their kids to shows and continue that legacy. I mean, we’re not talking about Local Garage Band Who Gets a Gig. This is Papa Fucking Roach! We know who they are, what they do, and why they rock!
In all, this album feels like they’re trying too hard to prove something to someone. They’re currently on the festival tour route and will be touring both stateside and overseas supporting Crooked Teeth. They are clearly back and ready to remind people of what they had that made us all love them in the first place (I am a little miffed they don’t seem to be coming my direction yet!). For me, though, that love isn’t fully coming through on this album. I give this three skulls.
Crooked Teeth Tracklist
1. Break the Fall
2. Crooked Teeth
3. My Medication
4. Born for Greatness
5. American Dreams
6. Periscope (feat. Skylar Grey)
7. Help
8. Sunrise Trailer Park (feat. Machine Gun Kelly)
9. Traumatic
10. None of the Above
11. Ricochet
12. Nothing
13. Bleeding Through
