Unique to say the least
5
By FitForAnImpendingDoom100
Circles might be the most interesting album P.O.D. has ever made. It’s still hard rock, but it’s the least metallic record in their catalog, with strong hip-hop tones and instrumentation, at times to the point that some could argue that it guns for the mainstream. But P.O.D. retained their identity and didn’t cave in to these flourishes, plus drum machines weren’t new to them (Rock the Party, back in 1999). Some songs exhibit a ‘90s feel, others modern hip hop, but most are unequivocally Payable On Death. The title cut (a risky one that pays off), Dreaming, Panic Attack and Soundboy Killa are my favorites, but the rest is listenable. Purists might not like Circles, but it pulls off its flirtations with electronics well, like Red with Gone. I wish that Fireflight and Nine Lashes and Relient K had done with their awful pop efforts.
