There is a certain pop sensibility to the opener "Black Toungue" on this album. From the opening rif to the underlying melody there is a hookiness to this song that moves this band far from being the progressive metal band they have been of late and more to a mainstream metal band. That pop oriented drive continues into the next two songs "Curl of the Burl" and "Blasteroid." Then the big progressive sound returns for the remainder of the album and so you're left with an interesting blend of pop centric metal and progressive metal. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that Mastodon seems comfortable in both roles, but even they seemed to understand that the opening three tracks are meant to live on their own at the front of the album. I have to confess after listening to this album a bunch of times I had to go see what the reviewer at allmusic.com said and was happy for them to open up my eyes to the distinction of the opening three tracks. Once I read that review it hit me why I was having the reaction I was having to the album. It is such a strong and different start to the remaining 10 tracks that it almost feels like an EP and an album blended together.
If you want some solid hook heavy metal, then I would say go grab the first three tracks to this album. If you want something that takes a more progressive road then buy the full album.
Following the Rhapsody rating method I give it 2 out of 5 stars for Not Bad.
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