Load

This thing is a pain to listen to, a pain to look at, a pain to think about. The blues-influenced riffing occasionally works on a few tracks, and there are some really endearing solos and instrumental passages, but knowing what the album does right only makes it that much more irritating. James cannot sing, insists on delivering every line-ahhh with the same infuriatinggg-ahhh drawn out twang-ahhh, and seems incapable of closing his mouth when he finishes a thought. I wish he'd learn how, and keep his mouth closed. The lyrics on this album range from corny to outright infuriating. The knowledge that there is a Metallica song entitled Ain't My Bitch is torture enough, but the song itself is another turn on the rack.

If it weren't for the terrible vocal work, or the terrible lyrics, or the iffy production.. there could potentially be some great songs here. The Outlaw Torn features a pretty phenomenal instrumental that is ultimately mucked up with another terrible cowboy Hetfield vocal performance. King Nothing is a fun guilty pleasure, despite its corniness. I'm trying to think of a third song to compliment, but I'm coming up short. I guess Wasting My Hate is only partially unlistenable.

I suppose that I can give the band credit for doing something that isn't entirely commercial, taking a few risks, and playing with a sound that seems to be close to their heart. But it does not pay off.