POD-Testify

[Stephen]

Let me start this review by clearing a few things up.

1. I was a HUGE POD fan for FEOST album, and the Satellite album. They were one of my fav bands.

2. I hated there self titled release last year or whenever it came out...I hated that album more then any other CD I have ever paid for.

I had a chance today to get to listen to the new album from SoCal rockers POD. The band blew up after they released Southtown and Rock The Party off there Fundemental Elements of Southtown album. There following album Satellite also sold quite well. There last effort, a self titled album...ran off many of the old POD fans. Over-computer edited vocals...poor lyric writing, amongst other issues doomed Payable on Death from the begining. POD did however branch into the pop marked with this album. I am sure the band will have a thousand reasons for the change, but lets be honost. When you turn away a good part of your fanbase...it helps to go back to what got you to the dance to begin with.

Testify opens with a track called Roots in stereo. At first, I thought it was more of the same as there last album. Which had lousy vocals...and Sonny turning his back on the screaming and rapping that had made them famous...instead trying to sing. Somthing that many felt Sonny was not very good at. The opening track is an awesome starting song. Famous Jewish raggae master Matisyahu. The second track blasts out with Lights Out. Which is a trip down old POD lane. Sounds like it could have been on Satellite or FEOST. The CD really is a good overall album. My only gripe was the song "On The Grind" Which is very much a rap song. Some of the lyrics seemed...slightly inapropriate. Its nothing obscene or overly offensive. Just some odd analogys the rapper uses. Not enough to get me to give this album a bad review though.


I give Testify a solid 4/5

If you get a chance, snag this off the shelves at your local record shops. You will be glad you did. You old POD fans you left after there last album...give them one more chance.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Sounds great! I've been waiting for this CD for ages. I agree that their self-titled album wasn't all that great, but it was alright. It's good to hear the new cd's a bit more like their older stuff.
Unfortunately we don't get Testify in Australia quite yet, but when we do I'll be sure to grab a copy quick.
(What do you mean by inappropriate analogies? bad references, language?)

Thanks

[Stephen]

[SPOILER] The line goes, ...breaking the hymen on ears that never heard...[/SPOILER]

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Okay, that's a bit risque for P.O.D! Thanks though.

Payable on Death certainly was a more 'Radio Friendly' CD. That's probably one of the reasons it wasn't so great.

[Stephen]

Well in fairness, Sonny is not the one who said it. Some rapper they had singing with them did.

[beau99]

[SPOILER] The line goes, ...breaking the hymen on ears that never heard...[/SPOILER]

It refers to your eardrum.

EDIT: This is easily P.O.D's best album.

If you wanna know all of my thoughts, you can read my review of it.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Nice review beau99! Have you heard their earlier stuff: Snuff the Punk, BROWN, Fundamental Elements of Southtown?

[BigZam]

um there's something you guys should know about P.O.D.....they're not Christian and I can prove it. Check this out.....http://eaec.org/expose/pod_rast.htm and


http://www.av1611.org/crock/pod_sym.html

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Not that site! Urgh! No offense but only God knows their hearts and by what they do I would say they are Christian. They profess their faith in some songs and sing about being a Christian in a fallen world and lots of other life issues. They are more honest than many Christians in that they realise they are sinners and only Jesus Grace can save them and that God doesn't matter wether you have dreads, a tatoo, or baggy pants but its your love, thirst/hunger for God that counts the most and that you use your God-given talents for Him, not for your own selfish ambition. Please listen to their songs before labelling them so.

That person (in the link) is a self-righteous fundamentalist by the sounds of things. They don't seem to be honest and realise that no one is not a sinner and that's why we need Jesus. I've written a polite email to him/her about it and no reply. Suprise.
Have you seen the other artists he/she lists as 'evil?' Jars of Clay, Michael W Smith, Rebecca St James etc... Please!

[BigZam]

so why on earth would P.O.D have satanic symbols on their cd?

[freerock1]

I wouldn't take the AV1611 site too seriously. They do research for their arguments, but much of that research is taken out of context. The P.O.D. article is no exception. Plus, I don't think they're exactly going in without bias.

I'm not as familiar with the EAEC site, but it looks like they largely do the same thing.

[beau99]

so why on earth would P.O.D have satanic symbols on their cd?

Those so-called "satanic symbols" were drawn by a devout Catholic.

Nice review beau99! Have you heard their earlier stuff: Snuff the Punk, BROWN, Fundamental Elements of Southtown?

I own Brown and Fundamental Elements.

I've heard some of Snuff the Punk, and I've come to the conclusion that the lyrics are juvenile and preachy. Then again, that was their first record, and preaching was their aim. Basically, they used to be the "convert or go to Hell" type of people. I'm glad they don't do that anymore.

I do believe that Sonny Sandoval is one of the most down-to-earth people alive today, and I can thank him for making me realize I was nothing without God.

[Stephen]

If you take that site seriously, you are doing exactly what they hoped you would. I doubt the guy who made that site is even really a beliver. Its more a thing to make fun of Christian music. There are lots of bands he rips on.

[Da Rabid Duckie]

Yeah, I really can't stand that site.....

But...

I own Snuff the Punk (or did until it was ganked), Brown, Warriors, Southtown, Satellite, and Payable on Death, and stopped after that. Why? I watched the documentary that came with Payable on Death, and then made the personal decision to stop listening to them from facts that I gathered. Here's what I found out:

-- Concerning the DVD that came with the self-titled album, there is a scene in Mexico which shows three members of the band eating, and drinking out of bottles that resemble beer bottles. While I do concede to the fact that it may not have been beer, one of the members is acting close enough to being drunk that it does arouse suspicion.

-- On the third part to the POD culture documentary, three members of the group are buying meat for a barbecue, and one of the members points out his favorite poster which is of a nude woman (her back is showing) and it has her body drawn into quarters for cutting meat and he talks about how much he loves that poster.

-- Later in the same scene, it shows them loading the meat into the back of their vehicle... right next to a few cases of beer.

-- Later in the video it shows some of their friends and family and the cars they drive, and one of them was of a demonic looking nude woman wearing what appears to be leather bondage straps and surrounded by flames. She bore a great resemblance to a succubus (a female demon that invaded men's dreams). There are children at that barbecue, and they allow those kids to ride around in the car.

-- Other scenes also include shots of the Tribal warehouse where POD's practices and jam sessions take place, and there is a graffiti garage which does feature some very talented artists, but some crudely drawn nudes as well.

-- There is also the issue of the cover to Payable on Death and its artist. POD has been known for controversy in their album covers, and similarly to The Fundamental Elements of Southtown the album was removed from Christian bookstores until a more appropriate version was released. Nevermind what it actually means, the concept that it had to be removed is still a negative mark for them.

Now... yes, their lyrics are positive. Yes, they don't swear (that we know). Yes, they hired Jason Truby, the fantastic guitarist from Living Sacrifice who from what I understand provides a great witness (he even spouts out a bible verse during most of his interviews, and to his credit never appeared in any of the scenes that I found questionable). They just seem to me like salt that's lost its flavor. Again, this is my opinion, and hopefully someday I'll be back to the point where I feel confident enough with them that I'll buy their albums again.

[beau99]

Yeah, I really can't stand that site.....

But...

I own Snuff the Punk (or did until it was ganked), Brown, Warriors, Southtown, Satellite, and Payable on Death, and stopped after that. Why? I watched the documentary that came with Payable on Death, and then made the personal decision to stop listening to them from facts that I gathered. Here's what I found out:

-- Concerning the DVD that came with the self-titled album, there is a scene in Mexico which shows three members of the band eating, and drinking out of bottles that resemble beer bottles. While I do concede to the fact that it may not have been beer, one of the members is acting close enough to being drunk that it does arouse suspicion.

-- On the third part to the POD culture documentary, three members of the group are buying meat for a barbecue, and one of the members points out his favorite poster which is of a nude woman (her back is showing) and it has her body drawn into quarters for cutting meat and he talks about how much he loves that poster.

-- Later in the same scene, it shows them loading the meat into the back of their vehicle... right next to a few cases of beer.

-- Later in the video it shows some of their friends and family and the cars they drive, and one of them was of a demonic looking nude woman wearing what appears to be leather bondage straps and surrounded by flames. She bore a great resemblance to a succubus (a female demon that invaded men's dreams). There are children at that barbecue, and they allow those kids to ride around in the car.

-- Other scenes also include shots of the Tribal warehouse where POD's practices and jam sessions take place, and there is a graffiti garage which does feature some very talented artists, but some crudely drawn nudes as well.

-- There is also the issue of the cover to Payable on Death and its artist. POD has been known for controversy in their album covers, and similarly to The Fundamental Elements of Southtown the album was removed from Christian bookstores until a more appropriate version was released. Nevermind what it actually means, the concept that it had to be removed is still a negative mark for them.

Now... yes, their lyrics are positive. Yes, they don't swear (that we know). Yes, they hired Jason Truby, the fantastic guitarist from Living Sacrifice who from what I understand provides a great witness (he even spouts out a bible verse during most of his interviews, and to his credit never appeared in any of the scenes that I found questionable). They just seem to me like salt that's lost its flavor. Again, this is my opinion, and hopefully someday I'll be back to the point where I feel confident enough with them that I'll buy their albums again.

...and?

They're not perfect. You're not either. I'm pretty sure you do things you wouldn't let other people know about as well.

Hey... I lust over hot girls. I see nothing wrong with that, personally.

[Da Rabid Duckie]

...and?

...and those were my reasons for not listening to them. I'm not saying you or anyone else can't or shouldn't. I'm just providing reasons why I don't.

[beau99]

I'm sorry that Sonny, Truby, Traa and Wuv haven't lived up to your expectations of what they should act like.

Judging them (like you're doing) is God's job.

[Stephen]

Jesus and the Desciples drank too.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I see nothing wrong with P.O.D drinking beer or other alchohol. I believe it's fine as long as its in moderation. Not to mention the drunk bit could be bit of an act (playing around, faking it) to get a few laughs.

I do agree that the 'naughty' art isn't necessary. But I don't think they are encouraging it. To me it seems they are doing as Jesus did, mixing with people who don't know Jesus. All that art is part of their culture. And P.O.D are accepting them as people, not for their 'sinful art' or whatever.

I do agree that they have been given a responsiblity as role models to do the right thing by God. But let's also not forget God's grace. When we stuff up, we repent and he forgives us and helps us up. I'm not condoning sin and we need to show discernment but we also need to stop judging people and show more love and mercy towards others. They are already judged by so many and they really need God's grace and love.

As for the P.O.D cover art for Fundamental Elements of Southtown. That did seem to have New Age connatations but if you look closer you can see Christian symbols and a lovely piece of art expressing love for God. Also it holds the message to look below the superfical surface and see what's at the heart of the matter.

Not sure about the newer CD with the 'fairy' though...

God Bless!

[Da Rabid Duckie]

I'm sorry that Sonny, Truby, Traa and Wuv haven't lived up to your expectations of what they should act like.

Judging them (like you're doing) is God's job.

Actually, it can't be proven that I'm judging them, because I am in no way condemning them to hell.

Jesus and the Desciples drank too.

Now assuming you're talking about alcoholic beverages, I'm going to have to disagree with you wholeheartedly. But since we're talking about POD here and not spiritual prohibition, I'm going to avoid continuing in this direction since it would cause a religious debate.

Having said all of that, I'm just going to leave this conversation regardless, it's obvious that it's not possible to share an adverse opinion on this thread without being attacked.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I wasn't attacking you mate, I thought I posted fairly politely.

[Da Rabid Duckie]

I wasn't attacking you mate, I thought I posted fairly politely.

Okay okay, one more post. *laughs* No no, you were VERY polite, as always. ^_^ Actually there's no hard feelings towards anyone involved in this discussion, I'm just getting out before it gets messy.

NOW I'm gone. *poof*

[Stephen]

Edit: Forget it. Its not worth even trying.

[TrigunX89]

Well, getting back on topic here, that was a very informative review.

I hope to get this CD in a couple weeks. I'm loving "Goodbye for Now."

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Finally got the CD today. Didn't like it so much the first time, but the second time is very good. It's very different, but at the same time very familiar. I'm liking it. Definetly heavier than their self-titled (thank goodness) but still has the variety they are known for. It's very good but it's still growing on me.