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Infest

by Papa Roach

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Papa Roach is a breed apart in the nearly overfull rap-rock arena. The Northern California-bred quartet lacks the bluster of Limp Bizkit and the political agenda of Rage Against the Machine, instead serving up an ultra-intense, highly personal brand of funk-punk-rock-rap on their stunning major-label debut. Closer in spirit to Faith No More than Korn, Papa Roach's signature sound is defined by Coby Dick's raspy, forceful vocals. Dick's pointed lyrics astutely address everything from divorce ("Broken Home") and attention deficit disorder ("Thrown Away") to alcoholism ("Binge"). Jerry Horton's memorable, melodic, and insinuating guitar lines and the band's aggro, moshable rhythms provide added weight. Papa Roach's intensity is never forced; the songs here are varied, discrete, tuneful, and cohesive. Indeed, the mellow, reggae- like "Tightrope" is as compelling as the commanding "Last Resort," making Infest one of the most arresting heavy-music debuts of 2000. -- Katherine Turman