Saliva Albums (5)
What The Critics Say
On "My Own Worst Enemy" -- the second track of Cinco Diablo, their fifth album for Island, sixth if you count their 1997 independent release -- Saliva sing the immortal words "you did this to me," a phrase that succinctly sums up their world-view ever since their debut in 1997, but unlike its predecessor, Blood Stained Love Story, Cinco Diablo at least has the impression of forward motion. To be sure, Saliva haven't ditched the churning heavy murky post-grunge that has been their calling card since the beginning, but they dabble in a little bit of awkward rap-rock on the opening "Family Reunion," adopt a little bit of Coldplay's cinematic sweep on the closing "So Long," and -- most surprisingly of all -- come up with a really effective Skynyrd-meets-ZZ Top boogie on "Southern Girls," alas, not a Cheap Trick cover but an inversion of Crüe's "Girls Girls Girls" that's the loosest Saliva has ever been on record, and arguably the best. Certainly, having that little dose of redneck rock is a better way for the bandmembers to age than the time they spend with vindictive post-grunge, the kind that clots the flow of the first half of the album, suggesting that the band is older but none the wiser. But the rest of Cinco Diablo indicates that despite that silly title, the group is starting to figure out how to enter middle age with a modicum of grace. Now if only they could shed their old teenage Hot Topic clothes and chains, they'd be onto something. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'Survival of the Sickest'
Release Date 8/17/2004
Tracks 14
Label Island
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What The Critics Say
Saliva's third effort for Island Def Jam has completely excised the rap-rock overtones of their original model, adopting instead an amplified hard rock sound informed by the band's Southern roots. There's still some pandering to major-label stylistic cataracts -- "No Regrets, Vol. 2" and "Open Eyes" are forgettable plods comparable to post-grunge also-rans like Chevelle. But Saliva make up for it with a clutch of massively compressed hard-head rockers that revel in rock star debauchery even while railing against the plasticity of the industry. "You music business whores are all about just getting paid," frontman Josey Scott spits in opener "Rock & Roll Revolution," and the song's sledgehammer rhythms are refreshingly at odds with Saliva's rap-rock-coddled past. But Scott can't completely dismiss success -- he happily revels in the twin guitars and two-girls-for-every-guy spoils of "One Night Only" and the title track. Other highlights include the patriotic rant "Two Steps Back" and "Razor's Edge," a faithful Lynyrd Skynyrd update featuring 3 Doors Down vocalist Brad Arnold. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
'Back into Your System'
Release Date 11/12/2002
Tracks 13
Label Def Jam
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What The Critics Say
Sophomore Saliva salvo (the second disc on major Island, to be more accurate) Back into Your System makes no bones about what it is, an uncomplicated rock record, though the band itself proves to be a shade more multifarious than the hits on the preceding Every Six Seconds would indicate. The jacket features a boom box that would have LL Cool J doing a double take. That said, the funk that the Memphis natives bring is of the Grand Funk Railroad variety more than anything else, the syncopated delivery of "Raise Up" (which seems like an updated version of radio smash "Click Click Boom") is actually an aberration, and tagging the group as modern-day rap-metal is missing the point. Aside from being heavier overall, the histrionic "Always" sounds like Kiss melodrama circa Animalize, "All Because of You" and "Separated Self" offer a contrasting of powerful riffage within the scope of typical power balladry, and "Pride" is a grinding thrasher about patriotism that seems honest as only good ol' southern boys can manage it, even if the slide guitar and sexy drawl of "Holdin On" shows that they're not shy about flyin' the Confederate flag alongside ol' glory. The best thing about Back Into Your System is that the disc doesn't seem to pander to rock radio as much as others of its ilk, but it should still (and did) manage success there regardless. ~ Brian O'Neill, All Music Guide
'Every Six Seconds'
Release Date 3/27/2001
Tracks 12
Label Uptown/Universal
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What The Critics Say
On its major label debut, Every Six Seconds, Saliva gets a heavier sound and a way more polished production than the band's self-titled debut of four years earlier. The Memphis outfit has a better way with a melodic hook than some of its peers, which is fortunate, since singer Josey Scott's more frequent forays into rap-metal can sound a little forced. The production brings in a huge bottom sound absent from Saliva, as well as a few newfound electronic touches that hit upon the all-important Nine Inch Nails touchstone. So, Every Six Seconds is a pretty well-crafted alternative metal album overall. But, as with many other bands of its ilk, the elements that set Saliva apart from the rest of the alt-metal pack are really apparent only to the genre's hardcore faithful. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This is essentially a straight reissue of Saliva's independently released 1997 debut, barring the updated cover art. Its track list remains the same, as does the material's fidelity (which wasn't bad to begin with). The Saliva that appears here is a much more ragged metal outfit; stripped of studio gloss and programming, the band often sounds more menacing than it does on either of its major-label releases. "Beg" and "Spitshine" are sleazy in black leather, while "Greater Than Less Than" appears in its original form, minus the programming and reverb of the Every Six Seconds version. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
