Welcome back - A review of Puddle of Mudd's Welcome to Galvania

It's a miracle that Puddle of Mudd still exists after all these years. The last studio record with original material was released ten years ago. The line-up has changed on numerous occasions throughout the past ten years. Lead singer, guitarist and founder Wes Scantlin had his issues with several conflicts with the law, a failed marriage and regular substance abuse. The latter also had negative impacts on the band's performances when the singer didn't show up at all, forgot his lyrics or got sick on stage. All things considered, one has to be grateful that Welcome to Galvania has now been released, regardless of the final result.

One couldn't expect much from this release in advance but lead single ''Uh Oh'' was surprisingly solid. The song features simple but efficient musicianship inspired by pop punk music two decades ago, the personal lyrics are truly tongue-in-cheek and the chorus is so catchy you won't ever get it out of your mind. This song is the obvious hit single and had been performed live for years. While the new record doesn't feature any other potential singles, the album includes a few great tunes that recall what made the band famous in the beginning of the new millennium.

''Kiss It All Goodbye'' for instance combines the band's gritty neo-grunge attitude with distorted guitars and snotty vocals and catchy and memorable underlying melodies accompanied by a punchy rhythm section.

''Time of Our Lives'' is one of the band's clever power ballads with wonderful acoustic guitar melodies, uplifting guitar chords and variable vocals that prove that the lead singer can't only perform dirty hard rock tracks but also emotive pop rock tunes.

Not everything on the new record is perfect however. The production is somewhat uneven and polished in a few songs and should sound a little bit grittier and coherent from start to finish. The lead vocals still sound charismatic but Wes Scantlin is unable to hit the high notes like he still did a decade ago and could overall sound more enthusiastic. The new version of ''You Don't Know'' from the band's overlooked debut extended play Stuck released twenty-five years ago is completely unnecessary and opens the record on a low note as it's probably the least convincing track on the album.

Still, Puddle of Mudd's Welcome to Galvania is a slightly above average record that combines the band's grit from the early years with the powerful hooks from its successful middle years and the more commercial drive from the latter records. The album is pretty much on the same level as predecessors Volume 4: Songs in the Key of Love & Hate as well as Famous. This is no album of the year material but a fun release to listen to that leaves you wanting more. Welcome back, Puddle of Mudd!

Final rating: 70%