Saliva is back with their fifth major label studio album entitled Cinco Diablo. The album follows closely on the heels of their album Blood Stained Love Story, which spawned the hit Ladies and Gentleman.

Cinco Diablo starts out with Family Reunion, which sounds like an amalgamation of Click Click Boom and Ladies and Gentleman. It has the same feel that you have come to expect from Saliva, the heavy bass and nu-metal inspired guitars, catchy chorus hooks, and lots of repetitive words like BOOM and GO.

My Own Worst Enemy, the second song off Cinco Diablo, begins with a good southern blues sound, then Josey starts to "sing". I use sing lightly because the only time Josey actually sings is during the first part of the chorus. The rest of the time is him talking through the lyrics. His voice on this song is a harsher whiskey voice on the verse parts. The only real redeeming part of this song is the great early 2000 sounding guitar solo.

The third track is one of my favorites, Best of Me. The song has a great juxtaposition between hardcore screaming and light vocals, which combine for a memorable hook. The vocals on the verse sound like Chester Bennington from Linkin Park. However, the guitar solo leaves a bit to be desired. But I do love the motorcycle reving guitar sound in certain parts. If I was a guitar player, I would just hook up my amp and make that sound.

How Could You? is probably the second single off the album. It is a slowed down, almost ballad like number. This is one of the rare tracks on the album where Josey shows he can sing. It is a welcomed relief from that talk-singing he does. He has a great southern voice that I enjoy with the hard rock riffs behind him, but they don't use it often enough. How Could You? is tied with Best of Me for my second favorite song on the album.

The album proceeds through forgettable Saliva anthems like Hunt You Down, which sounds like slowed down version of Family Reunion. And Judgment Day sounds like a crunchy version of My Own Worst Enemy.

It is Southern Girls that steals my heart. The song is Saliva's answer to the Beach Boys California Girls. The song is an ode to southern women and how Saliva sees them. The whole song doesn't really sound like Saliva at all. The nu-metal guitars and bass are mysteriously absent until the chorus. The vocal is drastically different from Josey's usual watery whiskey voice.

I think that is why I prefer this song the most, because it doesn't sound like Saliva and shows them trying something a bit out of their comfort zone. I love a band willing to experiment like a wide eyed young college freshman who is only "bi-curious." They push their limit in the hopes the final product will be something fun and entertaining. But not that I would have any experience with bi-curiosity in college. I am a man. I like pussy, domestic beer, American trucks, and beating women. Isn't that what all red blooded Americans love?

Anyway, back to Saliva. This album is good. It is a solid effort and I think it is musically better than Blood Stained Love Story. Is it the best album to come out this year? No, not even close. But Saliva fans and those looking for a good rock record (in the style of Saliva) can pick this up and be excited about it. Whether any of these songs make it into the touring catalog is up to Saliva and the asshole who always yells for his favorite song.

Check out our exclusive interview with Josey Scott.

Check out the official Saliva website for up to the minute tour dates so you can see how these new songs translate live.