“I want to be a rockstar when I grow up…hells yeah, just like you.” The first words of “Back Into Your System,” Saliva’s sophomore effort, tell the story of what has happened to Saliva in between the time they released their first album and now. “Back Into Your System,” why Saliva has come from relatively nowhere to be rockstars. The album has more of an edge and better songwriting than the first.
The first song “Superstar II,” is a continuation of “Superstar,” from their first album “Every Six Seconds.” In the first “Superstar,” Josey Scott, is singing about wanting to be one, while in second installment, “Superstar II,” sings about the success Saliva has had in becoming just that. The song is not earth-shattering but provides a good introduction to Saliva’s sophomore effort.
In the following song “Weight of the World,” Josey sings of the pressure of the world and especially relationships and how hard it is to stand up with it. The song is a good song with some minor flaws. One of the flaws is Josey’s rap towards the end of the song, while the idea of having a rap in the song is not always a bad idea, in this song it seems out of place. The song is, however, still a good song.
The first single off the album “Always,” is a story of a relationship gone sour, and its results. Josey sings “I love you, I hate you, I can’t live without you,” showing the pain of the relationship. The song itself is a great song, with harmonies occurring along with the heavy riffs making an eclectic mix of emotions able to be felt by the listener. The song is one of the best on the album, with its overall combination of lyrics and songwriting.
The title track on the album “Back Into The System,” is a song which seems like a song played after a team wins a championship. Just like a successful team needs the little things to win, “Back Into The System,” possesses the little things that make it a successful song; things such as a catchy little hook in the chorus, harmonies. The overall ability that Saliva shows in their songwriting is also important in the song and that along with the little things make this song a great one.
The next “All Because Of You,” is a song that should be listened to in earnest because of the lyrics. The tune itself is of questionable quality; however the lyrics make up for that. Its main idea is that everything is not on the person’s shoulders and is in fact the other person’s fault. This song should give strength to anyone who believes that they can’t stand up for themselves because it’s always their fault.
“Raise Up,” is a song to get the mosh-pit in motion as the song says “Everybody Raise Up.” With a Kid Rock style rap about the “good-life,” Josey shows that he is on par with the best and that he can compete with singers from all different genres. This song should be treated with care, and all those attending a Saliva show who are scared of the “pit,” should avoid it for this song.
The next song “Separated Self,” may not be the best song on the album but it is a heartfelt lesson in life given by Josey Scott. The main point, however, is to “separate yourself from all the lies.” The song’s lyrics make up for what lacks in the songwriting on this song. The song should be listened to for it’s lyrics for an important lesson is contained in it.
Every good rock album has a ballad on it and “Rest in Pieces” is this album’s ballad. It is a song which starts off describing an amazing person, only to ask that person “to find it in your heart and let me rest in pieces.” The song itself is a great song and could and should find itself being played in cars, Discmans, and of course the radio.
When children are young they are always told to stand up for themselves. For example if a bully teases you, don’t take it. That is the idea of the song “Storm,” to stand up for yourself and “facing the storm.” The song is an okay song with a good chorus and great vocals and harmonies. The song is one of the best on the album due to the fact that its lyrics are very high quality and give a lesson that can be taught to people of all ages.
Ever go driving on the open road and find it annoying that the only song that seems appropriate is Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” than your prayers have been answered. “Holdin’ On,” is a song intended for the open road. The lyrics and music conspire to make this so. The lyrics main theme is that “I’ve got to get on with living or get the hell on with dying,” something that is true when an open road faces you. You can either “die,” go slow, or “live” and take advantage of the open road.
Patriots of a new generation have a new song to listen to when they feel the USA is being taken advantage of. The song “Pride,” is fast-paced song which gives the essential message of starting a fight with the USA, which is “never f@#$ with one who’s had to fight for being free.” The song’s ideas go on and on and without the curses can provide many slogans for a war campaign (hint to President Bush).
The final song “Famous Monsters,” is a wind down song which includes a piano and an acoustic guitar as the main instruments. Those instruments help to make the song a good one. The lyrics are too deep to go into with a limited amount of space given to me, however be sure to know the point of the lyrics because they go hand in hand with the lyrics to “Storm.”
The sophomore jinx that is so often talked about should not be listened to, as only bands with very little in the tank or barely any talent ever suffer from it. Saliva is the latest band to make that last statement true. With the heavy riffs and well produced vocals, Saliva’s second album should open it up to a new contingent of listeners and fans. The song quality on all songs may not be up on par with the lyrics the song contains but listeners should not be discouraged, for “Back Into The System,” is a very good album.
Track Listing:
1. Superstar II
2. Weight of the World
3. Always
4. Back Into The System
5. All Because Of You
6. Raise Up
7. Separated Self
8. Rest In Pieces
9. Storm
10. Holdin’ On
11. Pride
12. Famous Monsters
Links:
Back to the CD Reviews Directory
Official Saliva Website
Island Records
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