Singles Roundup: Disturbed, Steve Perry, Slash, & Amaranthe

As we occasionally do, let's take a momentary break from the flood of new albums to look at a few new singles, and think about what they might mean for the albums they are teasing (including whether or not I'm going to review them in their entirety). This time out, we've got a few big names that need to make a good impression. Let's go:

Disturbed - Are You Ready

All the big guns from years ago are back in action. Godsmack released their most pop album ever, and now Disturbed has their turn in the spotlight. Their continued success has been amazing to me, since I would have sworn they were going to be one-hit wonders way back when. This new song of theirs breaks no new ground. The riff calls back to "Down With The Sickness", just slower and without as much bite. The chorus tries to introduce more melody, and it works well enough. I'm sure it will be a bit hit on rock radio, but it doesn't strike me as anything I'm going to want to listen to more than once or twice. There are promises of some new twists on the album, which I'm glad to hear, because whether they are good or bad, they are needed if I'm going to make it through yet another of their records.

Steve Perry - No Erasin'

Steve Perry hasn't made a record in ages, so it's nice to see him back in the arena. But that's where this gets tough. He is back because his love of music was rekindled by personal pain, which makes it hard to say this; the song is fine, but not at all enough to be his first statement in so long. His voice sounds better than I would have expected, although older. The problem is the melody just don't have any flair or personality. It would make a fine album cut, but being the first single doesn't bode particularly well for the record.

Slash - Driving Rain/Mind Your Manners

The last two Slash records have been ones I enjoyed when they came out, and that I really don't remember much of anymore. The problem, I assume, is that Myles Kennedy has been on so many records in these years that it all blends together. These new songs fit right into that pattern. "Driving Rain" is a sharp number that hits on the best aspects of this particular band. It's got some swagger, and Myles delivers a strong chorus that hooks you in. "Mind Your Manners", though, is more indicative of why I only remember a select few highlights of their previous albums, as it sounds more like a Snakepit number that Myles can't rescue, since he has burned through so many melodies.

Amaranthe - 365

Is Amaranthe the leading purveyor of pop metal? I'm not sure, but they don't shy away from being as pop as metal is going to get. On the first single for their new record, they once again mix the heaviness of Gothenburg death metal with electronic pop music. It doesn't always work, but it is an interesting mix. This song is more miss than hit, as the flow struggles to establish itself, and Elize is seriously straining in the chorus. It isn't her range whatsoever, and it sounds a bit painful to listen to her struggling like this.