Pain of Salvation is a truly unique band... with each album they manage to do something different yet they still retain their own sound. Their latest opus is titled as Scarsick, and introduces a surprising change in line-up as Kristoffer Gildenlöw is no longer in the band. In addition, Daniel Gildenlöw's child is featured on this album, which isn't that surprising noting the trend of musicians getting children and featuring them on their records.

The music on Scarsick is diverse and adventurous. The symphonic elements of BE are nowhere to be found, but instead PoS has drifted towards a fusion of modern music and retro. The compositions vary from slowpaced and atmospheric to the more unorthodox yet still fairly groovy songs. Gildenlöw is versatile at using his voice, and this time around he explores the combination of traditional and rap-like speech singing accompanied with occasional screams. Perhaps the most experimental track Disco Queen also showcases Gildenlöw's higher-pitched singing.

The album has been divided to a and b sides that also gives an impression of vintage feel and makes you regard Scarsick as a vinyl. Thematically this record follows the themes of previous PoS albums, and the lyrics are witty as ever: "I lay you on your back, inviting curves of black/making little noises as my needle finds your track"

With my first few listens I was slightly disappointed with this album. However, the more I have listened to this record the more it has grown on me. Now that I have listened to Scarsick for over a month, it still doesn't cease to impress me with its refreshing moments and ability of staying quite cohesive at all times. In addition, the production has been handled really well on this record.

I believe Scarsick is intended to be The Perfect Element Part II, because of few revisited sections... for example, there was a track called King of Loss on The Perfect Element Part I. On Scarsick one can listen to Kingdom of Loss ;) Whether this is true or false, it doesn't change the fact that Scarsick isn't exactly another TPE1 or Remedy Lane. It's different, and worthwhile to check out, in case one is open-minded listener of music.

Release date: January 22nd, 2007

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- MAGE (January 22nd, 2007)

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LINE-UP:
Gildenlöw, Daniel: Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Banjos and Samples Hallgren, Johan: Guitars, Backing Vocals Hermansson, Fredrik: Keyboards, Samples Langell, Johan: Drums, Backing Vocals
Producer:	Unavailable
Mixing by:	Unavailable
Mastering by:	Unavailable

	TRACKLIST:
	side a 01. Scarsick 02. Spitfall 03. Cribcaged 04. America 05. Disco Queen side b 06. Kingdom of Loss 07. Mrs. Modern Mother Mary 08. Idiocracy 09. Flame to the Moth 10. Enter Rain Length: 67:52