Savages

Personnel: Tyler Connolly (vocals, guitar); Dave Brenner (guitar); Lenny Skolnik, Jonny Litten (keyboards, programming); Howard Benson (keyboards); Joe Dandeneau (drums).
Audio Mixer: Jay Ruston.
Recording information: Henson Studios, Los Angeles, CA; The Grip Studio, Nashville, TN; West Valley Studios, Woodland Hills, CA.
Photographer: Christian Lantry.
Despite the alienating snarl of the title Savages, Theory of a Deadman find space for guests on their fifth album. Alice Cooper wanders into the title track to mumble a recitation and Joe Don Rooney -- aka the Rascal Flatt who plays guitar but doesn't front the band -- comes in for the tongue-in-cheek "Livin' My Life Like a Country Song." This isn't the only time TOAD play around on Savages. They jab at Chris Brown and the Kardashians on "Blow," they claim they're living through "World War Me," they write an ode to their "Panic Room," and they enlist a children's choir to help them bring "The Sun Has Set on Me" to its rousing conclusion. As before, producer Howard Benson gives TOAD a muscular sound that accentuates the group's debt to Nickelback -- they both specialize in growled singsong riffs -- and his sinewy sheen is appealing; he shines the big hooks and layers the riffs so they contain a visceral force. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine