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| When Angels and Serpents Dance | 
 enlarge | Artist: P.o.d.
Label: Sony
Category: Music
List Price: $16.98
Buy New: $4.50
You Save: $12.48 (73%)
New (58) Used (26) Collectible (2) from $3.97
Avg. Customer Rating:  34 reviews
Sales Rank: 3516
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 709255
UPC: 886970925525
EAN: 0886970925525
ASIN: B0013PVGKO
Release Date: April 8, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Addicted | | • | Shine With Me | | • | Condescending | | • | It Can't Rain Everyday | | • | Kaliforn-Eye-a | | • | I'll Be Ready | | • | End of the World | | • | This Ain't No Ordinary Love Song | | • | God Forbid | | • | Roman Empire | | • | When Angels & Serpents Dance | | • | Tell Me Why | | • | Rise Against |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 29 more reviews...
When Bands & Guitarists Reunite April 9, 2008
18 out of 19 found this review helpful
Who would have thought that God's favorite rap-rock band, a band which sold millions of records during a very short lived trend, had both the courage and the ability to evolve? On their seventh full-length effort, P.O.D. reunite with original guitarist Marcos Curiel (who was ousted from the band in early 2003) and boldy go where they have never gone before. Shedding their nu-metal skin completely, P.O.D. have managed to serve up their most mature, most soulful, and most unique effort to date.
First things first: this is not the same P.O.D. you rocked on your discman in high school. To be blunt, if you are expecting a return to the golden "Satellite" era, you will be sorely disappointed. The hip-hop element has almost dissolved and given way to a much more original sound. Like Linkin Park's "Minutes To Midnight," but to a lesser extent, "When Angels & Serpents Dance" shows a band who doesn't want to remain a relic of a faded genre. Take a few listens to this album with an open mind, and you're likely to agree that this is the best thing they have done since 2001.
The whole album sounds centered around the return of Curiel, and it's a welcome breath of fresh air. Marcos' riffing is what originally defined the band, and he effortlessly carries the band into progression. Songs like "Shine With Me," "Condescending" and "Rise Against" are his stage and are likely to please even the most jaded of fans. Elsewhere, the band as a whole takes giant leaps towards a new sound. "It Can't Rain Everyday" is an example of the refined melodic sense the band gained on 2006's "Testify," taking P.O.D,'s sound in an unexpected direction. There are all sorts of little surprises like that one peppered through the album. "Roman Empire" is the best instrumental the band has created to date -- simply gorgeous. "God Forbid," which features the voice of Helmet, Page Hamilton, is the grungiest P.O.D. have gone to date, while "Kaliforn-Eye-A" delivers a deliciously decadent blast of hardcore with Suicidal Tendencies' Mike Muir in tow. Simply put, there's plenty of variety to be found and not a band song among the bunch.
Sure, this isn't the P.O.D. you are used to. Yes, it definitely takes a few spins (and some really good speakers) to appreciate, but it's hardly a disappointment or a step backwards for anyone willing to give it a chance. If anything, P.O.D. have ensured that they have a bold future ahead of them. They have managed to rid themselves of a trendy stigma without giving way to convention. What more could you ask for?
 Welcome Back Marcos! April 8, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is definitely a progression from POD's recent releases with the welcoming back of guitarist Marcos. This album is a great mix of classic POD style rock and a more ballads than we have seen before (think Set Your Eyes to Zion and Youth of the Nation). POD recaptures the magic from past works like Satellite. The album is great listened through, start to finish. The message of the album, "This life is a dance, who is going to lead you? When Angels and Serpents Dance" permeates throughout with the traditional uplifting and encouraging lyrics we have come to expect from Sunny.
The stylistic difference in having Marcos back is very evident, and pleasing to hear.
In summary, Welcome back Marcos! You were missed!
a skeptic turned into a lover April 8, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
ok. I think it should be safe to say that I am a huge POD fan. I have been a representative on their street team for 4 of their 5 major label releases. but for some reason when Marcos came back... and when they released their new single "addicted" I was a bit skeptical.
sure... I did like it a lot
and I was happy that Marcos was back
but I was expecting a return to Satellite which sold them over 4 million records worldwide.
but then I heard the entire album and why they chose "addicted" as the single I do not know.
I am a big fan of this band so on every album I have found enjoyment in just about every track... if a song was not the best or catchiest musically it never really mattered to me because Sonny always had something to say that I could relate with or that would inspire me.
but on this album...
(perchance one song)
EVERY SONG (in my opinion) could be a single
the only way that "condescending" was not their single, in my opinion, is that the chorus has vocal layers and might be a bit hard to understand on a radio level
but why they did not choose
"end of the world"
"it can't rain all the time"
"shine with me"
or the title track "when angels and serpents dance" as the main single
I do not know
this album is a refreshing step in a musical way for POD for me.
I expect it to win back a lot of the fans who left when Marcos did...
and not just because he is back in the fold
but because these songs are that good!
Somewhat Safe, but Satisfying April 22, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Back in the day, when P.O.D. was singing about "Babylon" and being an "Outcast," I became a fan. I was already on the bandwagon when "Satellite" hit the streets on 9/11, and I was thrilled to see these guys get the attention they deserved. They've never been the deepest of lyricists, nor the most amazing musicians, but they've had a heart and soul I could not deny. They seemed to relate to everyday people. They wore their faith on their sleeves, while never cramming it down our throats.
"When Angels and Serpents Dance" is a return to form as well as a step toward new things. There's a cohesiveness here, with Marcos back in the mix, that was missing from the grittier "Testify" and the artsy "P.O.D." The words are still somewhat standard form, but true to the Southtown vibe. The music ranges from mild rapcore to melodic to bits of orchestration. As a longtime fan, I'm happy with the overall result. I wouldn't call this their best album, but I can certainly listen to it numerous times without needing to skip over any tracks. The mellower tunes are still catchy, and there are some unexpected rhythm changes in other songs.
If you're a fan, this is good stuff, though not their best stuff ever. It's nearly an hour of music. It might be more accessible to those who have not yet hopped on board. I hope the next disk pushes the limit on all edges, giving us unrestrained passion. I don't regret buying this one, though. I'm glad to see P.O.D still rocking through their second decade together. Keep rockin' from the big S.D.!
WORD ON THE STREETS IS THAT THE BOYS ARE BACK!!! April 25, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Payable On Death will always hold a special place in my heart. I remember watching a t.v. program one night years ago called G-Rock and seeing this amazing band playing a song called "Selah". Heck, pretty much, I had no exposure to Christian music, or really even knew bands like this existed. I had over 1500 non Christian c.ds and had never really been into a Christian book store to purchase one. I think my wife had tried to turn me on to some pop Christian rock like Audio Adrenaline, Newsboys and such. Wasn't exactly what I was looking for.
But then came P.O.D., some twelve years ago and I was hooked. I know the guys catch a lot of flack from fans about their lack of preaching or upfrontedness on God and all. I know "fans" not Warriors, like to pick them apart for this and that. All I know is that they opened my eyes to God in a way I hadn't seen Him before, and for that I'll be a Warrior until the day I die.
I love the album F.E.O.S. as well as Testify and all the others even back to Snuff the Punk, Brown, Satellite, you name it. I was excited when the boys released When Angels and Serpents Dance. It took me a listen or two more to really grab me like some of the others did, but it's still very solid. Heck, some of the albums I like by them are the ones others bag on so much, but hey, to each their own.
All I'm saying is if you consider yourself a Warrior, or just a fan, pick up WAASD, you wont be disappointed. Check out some samples, check their web site, make up your own mind. I'm really biased cos I love these guys so much, I'd try and sell you on any of their albums.
I'll just say the majority of the rapped vocals are not nearly as predominant as before, but this is a good thing too. Sonny has a strong voice and needs to be able to do his singing too.
I'm really glad Marcos came back. I like Truby and Living Sacrifice will always be one of if not the most dominate heavy band in Christian music, and Truby will always be one heck of a guitarist. But Marcos' blood was in P.O.D. and he should have always been there. Welcome back Marcos, we missed you.
I was glad to see Page Hamilton on this album as well as Mike Muir of S.T. Helmet used to be a pretty cool band. What happend to those guys? Remember Quicksand? They were pretty cool too. Anyway,...I'm getting off track.
Just pick up the album. It cost what? A few bucks? You know you're gonna spend that at some fast food place anyway. So go pick up When Angels and Serpents Dance, and then get your Nachos Del Grande.
Honestly, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I promise, or at least hope you'll find 7-8 tracks out of the 13 you like and that will make it worth it. If it doesn't grab you at first, listen a few more times, it grows on you. I mean, how many albums have you listened to in the past, kinda thought that it was okay, or maybe not too great, upon first listen. But then you went back, gave it a few more shots, and it became one of your favorites years down the road.
I don't know if this one will ever be considered a classic release by P.O.D., but its a solid addition to their pretty impressive catalogue. Hope I maybe helped some. If not, hey, that's cool too. Everybody's got to make up their own mind.
God Bless.
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