Loudest Common Denominator

Having seen Drowning Pool put on one of the best live shows I've ever seen a little over a year ago, I was expecting big things from this release. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but it just didn't do a whole lot for me. It's definitely a solid live record, but it lacks "wow" factor.McCombs (predictably) sounds best on the tracks from DP's most recent album, Full Circle, and he does really well with a couple of the songs from Sinner (most notably "Tear Away"), but the feeling that there is something lacking just surrounds this album. Though Ryan also makes "Step Up" (the only track taken from Desensitized) his own, "Sinner" and "Reminded" don't quite cut it, and I found myself thinking "This is good, but it's not Dave" numerous times while listening to the tracks from Sinner.If you can get past the absence of Dave Williams, this cd sounds great. The production is top notch (the bass doesn't get dwarfed by the other instruments, which isn't always the case on live albums), the song selection is excellent (the only big one missing is "All Over Me"), and the two acoustic tracks at the end are extremely well done, "Shame" being my favorite song on the cd.The real disappointment with this album, and any live release, really, is that the energy of the band isn't captured. Drowning Pool have always been appealing to me because of their intensity and dominating presence onstage, and when that factor is taken away I start to compare Dave and Ryan vocally. No one will ever be able to duplicate Dave's style, unfortunately.My recommendation: See Drowning Pool live if you get the chance. Ryan McCombs can't compete with Dave Williams vocally, but no one can ignore the fact that he has an equally mostrous presence and high level of energy onstage.

Arrived on time, but the case was in terrible condition, but the cd was still good, so I'm happy with my purchase.

What can I say, I hoped this would be Soil reinvented somehow. I do like this music though, how can you not with a lead singer's voice like that!

I'm sure that Dave Williams often grabs his buddy Dimebag Darrell, and together they find a comfortable perch to look down from Heaven at some of the live shows that their respective brothers are doing without the fallen icons. Dave must feel particularly honored watching Drowning Pool's current live shows, because Drowning Pool have attempted to keep Dave on Earth vicariously through new singers...and by sticking to the Drowning Pool band name.Almost half of the live songs on Loudest Common Denominator are from Drowning Pool's first CD Sinner that was recorded back in 2001 with Williams. So Dave must be proud. But if you want a real taste of what Drowning Pool was like with Dave Williams, I'd highly suggest finding a copy of Sinema, a DVD release from the Williams era of DP. Because while Ryan McCombs (formerly of Soil) pays great tribute to Dave on Loudest Common Denominator, all he really did for me was make me hurtfully long for the days that Williams was in the band.Loudest Common Denominator isn't a bad CD; it's a good one. Especially if you're a fan of Drowning Pool's 2007 studio album with McCombs called Full Circle. The crowd is clearly into it. And CJ Pierce (guitar), Mike Luce (drums) and Stevie Benton (bass) all must have huddled with McCombs prior to the show and said, "let's knock it out of the park tonight!" The music is tight and overall the CD rocks.But as talented as McCombs is (McCombs' best work can be heard on Soil's Redefine), he just doesn't truly emulate the heartfelt intensity that Williams laid down with Drowning Pool. Like I said, the 5 songs from Sinner on Loudest Common Denominator are a fine tribute, but, well, it's just not Drowning Pool.The best song with McCombs on Loudest Common Denominator is Enemy from Full Circle. The best songs on Loudest Common Denominator would be better listened to by picking up Sinner or Sinema. So add Loudest Common Denominator to your cart if McCombs with Drowning Pool is your thing. But if you're as dedicated to the irreplaceable Williams-era Drowning Pool as I apparently am, you NEED to find a copy of Sinema, or just give Sinner a nostalgic listen.