P.O.D. has had an amazing run of success over the last year, thanks to their Atlantic Records contract, which spawned the album The Fundamental Elements of Southtown. That project has already reached gold selling status and is on its way to hitting the one million copy platinum mark. In addition, the band has been plastered all over M.T.V., particularly with their hit video "Rock the Party," which has stuck on the Total Request Live countdown the entire summer!
All of the attention has given the group's former label, Rescue Records, the idea to re-package, re-master, and re-release the group's previous studio album Brown, from 1996. The project's quality is much higher than its original pressing almost a half decade ago. This time out, the label has a lot more money to throw around and certainly spent a lot more time paying attention to every detail than they did the first time out.
For those that may not be familiar with the disc yet, it features a raw, hard-core sound with thrashing guitars and thundering drums. The project is interspersed with many interludes, just like their current album. Such short tracks include the "Intro" and "Outro" tidbits, as well as the song transitions "Punk Rocks" and "Reggae Jam."
P.O.D. jams on their full-length cuts, foreshadowing their current fury in the industry. Standout tracks include the intense "Visions," and the slower tune "Selah," which fans could compare to "Set Your Eyes to Zion" on the "Southtown" project. The album's highlight is the six-minute plus version of "Full Color," which starts out slow and builds up into reggae mixed with rock type groove.
This disc is a must have for long time fans who have followed the band since their humble beginnings. In addition, new P.O.D. warriors will want to check out what the entire buzz is about and help Brown climb up the charts.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #86Reviewed by Doug Van PeltEven though this comes from the "they're not half as good in the studio as they are live" era, this is a very important album with some very good songs. I mean, "Full Color," "Selah," and "Breathe Babylon" are now classics! Brown has been remixed and remastered. The fuzz is gone and the guitar tones are better. Brown is improved, but the change is not as drastic as the two Snuff The Punk…7ball #13Reviewed by Ginny McCabeThe color brown may be defined as a combination of red, black and yellow. But Brown, the latest release from P.O.D. is much more striking than that. The album displays a number of pictures through songs that are more complex than mere "paint by numbers" sketches. P.O.D. addresses current issues, but their bottom line is always leading people to the cross of Christ. "Full Color," Sandoval's…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Tony LaFianzaWhen the first sounds I heard emanating from this cd were a funky dj beat, I wondered if I'd gotten a wrong disc in my package; where was the pounding metal music I was expecting? Checking the song list, I saw the first cut was just "Intro" so I was patient for a minute until I heard the rising sound of pounding guitars. Let the head-banging rock-fest begin! From the first strains of "Know Me" it…Garlic Press #4Reviewed by UnknownThe second release from these guys. I like to think of them as the kind of people that could beat Rage Against The Machine up in an alley. Of course, they wouldn't, but their music does. With a similar diversity as Rage or Downset, Payable On Death mixes elements of rap and hip hop with straight ahead hardcore. The message is in your face, like hardcore was meant to be. P.O.D. are not afraid of…Dead Zine 1996Reviewed by the ProjectTo start it off, I really like this disk. It is the kinda CD you don't hear all the time. Brown by P.O.D. is a good CD. Note I did not say great. P.O.D. captures the essence of rap-core with this Sophomore re-release. It's follow up album Fundamental Elements is still the best, but this disk is so very different. This disk is a lot harder and has a different style of music. This Rescue Records…Similar sounding releases
2001Mindrage / Nailed PromiseMindrage & Nailed Promise
2003Look What I DidMy First Time
2000SeotaijiSeotaiji VI
1997BlindsideBlindside
2001Like DavidIt Started With Twelve
2001Space in Your FaceThe True Essence Of LifeMore from P.O.D.
2003Payable on Death
1999The Fundamental Elements of Southtown
1999The Warriors EP
1997Live At Tomfest
2002Still Payin' Dues (Video)
1993Payable On Death (1993)
