Review
Let me tell you, 2007 was the year Puddle of Mudd decided to shake things up, and "Famous" was the cherry on top. Released on October 9, this third studio album marked a kind of renaissance for the band, though not without a touch of drama. We saw guitar wizard Paul Phillips and rhythm powerhouse Greg Upchurch take a bow, with Christian Stone and Ryan Yerdon stepping in to fill some pretty big shoes. With a production lineup that reads like a rocker's fantasy football team—Bill Stevenson, Jason Livermore, Brian Howes, Jack Joseph Puig, and Howard Benson—the drive to shape a new sound was anything but subtle. Wesley Scantlin and his crew were locked and loaded, ready to connect on a whole new frequency without losing that gritty rock essence they’re known for.
And how about those tunes, right? The singles off "Famous" pretty much said, "Hey, remember us?” loud and clear. Tracks like the confident title jam "Famous," the introspective rocker "Psycho," and the memory-laden "We Don't Have to Look Back Now," were unleashed to eager ears, each one catchy enough to be remembered after the first hook. Despite Scantlin later feeling the album didn’t quite live up to its original vibrant vision, let's just say it still packed plenty of wallop, landing itself as a staple in the band's catalog. It might not have been utterly perfect in the eyes of its creators, but boy, it has the grit and perseverance that’ll make any rock fan nod with appreciation. No one ever said a rocker's road was easy, but Puddle of Mudd sure knows how to roll with it. - Scarlett
