Over the last decade, Wes Scantlin had been embroiled in arrests, drugs, and various difficulties in his personal and professional life. Within his personal struggles, there was always music that he managed to come back to. This album was a long time coming.

What he has come back to are the basics; almost every cut on this album sounds like it is a sequel to Come Clean, their first major release. Hints of 90s pop-punk also fill the melodies, which brings me back with a certain amount of nostalgia. Especially the lead single, “Uh Oh”, musically it feels like Simple Plan or even Sum-41 had helped influence some of the guitar work.

All of these songs tackle his past experiences over the last decade. Those include his arrests for drug possession, DUIs, trespassing and destruction of property, and even including his joyride at Denver International Airport. However, it appears he’s finally put his past behind him and has managed to stay clean the last few years. Each song feels absolutely personal, and how he had come to terms with his past. As a whole, the entire album acts as a confessional and coping mechanism to help spur him to move on. That, I believe, is a beautiful thing.

Final Thoughts

It’s been ten years since a proper album release from Puddle of Mudd, and they are back on top of their game. Each cut is as refreshing as the band was when they had debuted. An album for any casual fan of the band.

Overall

75

Vocals

80

Mix

85