By Jesse Peterson

SOiL

True Self

DRT Entertainment

Two-and-a-half out of five stars

SOiL’s third release, True Self, promises nothing more than a semi-pleasant listening experience. Lacking imagination and innovation, all that SOiL delivers is a boring smorgasbord of stuff we’ve already heard.

Drowning Pool’s Ryan McCombs, original frontman of SOiL, left his previous bandmates in the predicament of finding a new vocalist. Hence, True Self features the singing of newcomer A. J. Cavalier, who handles his role well by combining hard rock grit with his melodic outcries. However, his lyrics tire and are characterized by short, underdeveloped clauses: “It won’t last/ I got to give it this, it’s moving fast/ Better make a mark before it all pass.”

Uh?

The music punches in a little bit of metal and subtly features the personalities of those playing the instruments. Nevertheless, for all the guitar solos, heavy breakdowns and inner angst, True Self doesn’t excite the music listener searching for outstanding groups in a flood of sameness.

SOiL may create some catchy melodies and beats, but the type of radio-friendly rock it pushes is like a stain on a pair of undies that just won’t wash out. It might get worn a couple more times, but will most likely find its way to the closet or garbage, because wearing dirty underwear and constantly picking at it is not only embarrassing, but annoying?and, of course, gross.