Metallica--Load

Metallica--Load (1996/Elektra) Rating--6.1

Well, what to say. Hmm.
Ok, I'll try and be as analytical about this as possible. The band's old, classic sound is now totally gone. In fact, the somewhat-thick sound of the 'Black' album is pretty much missing as well, as there are more notes than chords, and as a result the band sounds more like a one-guitar unit. There are a few high points, but others where Lars sounds like he is asleep behind his drumkit, while still other tracks shouldn't have been b-side tracks for a garage band...
The lead single "Until it Sleeps" is decent, and "2x4" has a swaggering little groove rhythm-- though little power. Other passing marks include "Thorn Within," the good Hetfield chorus singing in "Bleeding Me," the note-bending rhythm of "Cure," and the nice grind of "King Nothing."
Songs like "The House That Jack Built," "Poor Twisted Me," and "The Outlaw Torn" are simply way too slow, as Lars plods the pace along with seemingly little ambition or desire.
Among the tracks that should have never been allowed to see the light of day are the putrid "Mama Said" (what the hell is that-- a country guitar rhythm?), and the ZZ Top-circa-1979 "Ronnie".
And the worst part of it all? The bottom of the curve hasn't been reached yet...
TRACK LIST: Ain't My Bitch/2x4/The House Jack Built/Until It Sleeps/King Nothing/Hero of the Day/Bleeding Me/Cure/Poor Twisted Me/Wasting My Hate/Mama Said/Thorn Within/Ronnie/The Outlaw Torn

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