Metallica--Reload

Metallica--Reload (1997/Elektra) Rating--5.7

The "good" tracks aren't quite as good as on 'Load,' but the pitiful ones aren't quite as bad, either. This is pretty much a collection of forgettable tunes; Lars is now firmly in a state of comatose, and power chords are a thing of the past, as Kirk opts to simply tool around on the guitar neck a little.
The closest metal comparison would be a low-quality version of some recent-career crankings from COC-- but even that is a stretch (and an insult to Corrosion).
From the batch of OK tunes comes the energetic "Fuel" and "Attitude," and the heavier "Better Than You" and "Prince Charming".
Lead single "The Memory Remains" is butchered by that damn Marianne Faithfull croaking, and was followed up on the radio by "The Unforgiven II"-- what was the point of that track? To get another country/western lick in?
The amazingly slow pace that Lars has now made his status quo shows up on tracks like "Slither" and "Carpe Diem Baby," and "Low Man's Lyric" is simply sad. Sad... though that emotion is fitting for the fans who were there at the start, I suppose.
TRACK LIST: Fuel/The Memory Remains/Devil's Dance/The Unforgiven II/Better Than You/Slither/Carpe Diem Baby/ Bad Seed/Where the Wild Things Are/Prince Charming/Low Man's Lyric/Attitude/Fixxxer

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