Album Review: P.O.D. – When Angels & Serpents Dance (Remixed & Remastered) (Mascot Records)

P.O.D. will re-release When Angels & Serpents Dance on October 14th through Mascot Records/Mascot Label Group. The album has been re-mixed and re-mastered with three bonus tracks and is out on October 14th, 2022.

When this album came out in 2008, P.O.D. had completely dropped off my radar. I had very little interest in their music at that time so with this re-mix and remaster I am hearing a lot of these songs for the first time. Times change and I’m a lot more open-minded so more than willing to give this album a proper chance.

That being said, it’s a mixed bag for me. When it’s good, it’s really good but there are a few too many instances of where I find it hard to muster more than a shrug. Tracks that aren’t necessarily bad, more that they’re just bland and boring. It is a bit frustrating as I start to get into the groove of the album and then hit something that just fails to spark.

That being said, I don’t think I’m the target audience for this record. This is an album that can work for two different music camps. The long-term fans who get to hear a P.O.D. album in a fresh way and have a couple of new tracks to enjoy. Whereas newcomers will find an entry point that has the potential to send them on a deep dive into the discography of the band.

It’s those that will likely have the most interesting opinion as the album has a wide array of tracks that show where the band were at in 2008. Removed from the nu-metal era, progressing and becoming more alternative. Tracks like Shine with Me, I’ll Be Ready, This Ain’t No Ordinary Love Song and Rise Against are good examples of the P.O.D. progression and high points on the record.

The three new tracks make up the latter part of the record. Don’t Fake It, Ridin’ with You and Walk on Water. One of which, Don’t Fake It, ends up being one of the most enjoyable tracks on the album. The chorus is killer, the lyrical content is punchy and the nu-elements that P.O.D. have are particularly groovy.

If you loved this album back in 2008, you’re going to love it even more here (the remaster does mean it sounds lovely). Like me, if you’re approaching this with knowledge of P.O.D. but not this album, you might come away feeling the same as I did. Enjoyable moments and not so enjoyable moments. If this is your first ever listen to P.O.D.? You have a lot more to experience.

P.O.D. – When Angels & Serpents Dance (Remastered) Full Track Listing:

1. Addicted
2. Shine With Me
3. Condescending
4. It Can’t Rain Everyday
5. Kaliforn-Eye-A
6. I’ll Be Ready
7. End of the World
8. This Ain’t No Ordinary Love Song
9. God Forbid
10. Roman Empire
11. When Angels & Serpents Dance
12. Tell Me Why
13. Rise Against
14. Don’t Fake It (Bonus Track)
15. Ridin’ With You (Bonus Track)
16. Walk on Water (Bonus Track)

Links

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter