Loudest Common Denominator

by Stephen Thomas ErlewineLoudest Common Denominator is a live album from Drowning Pool recorded in San Diego on the 2008 tour supporting their 2007 record Full Circle. Not that the CD itself contains any of these facts — the liner notes list their instrumental endorsements, not where and when the album was recorded — but such details aren't really necessary because the album is a snapshot of the band in concert, nothing more, nothing less. Live, the band shows less sonic variety than they do on record — all the guitars diligently grind through their digital distortion pedals, and singer Ryan McCombs is a bit growlier, too, perhaps worn out by working up the crowd as if it were a WWE match. This heavy dose of testosterone is lightened some by the acoustic demos of "37 Stitches" and "Shame" that are tacked onto the end, but make no mistake, this whole album is for fans who think that the group could stand to be a little bit more aggro and a little heavier than they are on record. For those fans, Loudest Common Denominator is your wish come true, for it lives up to the promise of its title.