Band:	Pain Of Salvation
Album:	Road Salt Two
Style:	Progressive metal, Progressive rock
Release date:	September 26, 2011
A review by:	Ivor

01. Road Salt Theme
02. Softly She Cries
03. Conditioned
04. Healing Now
05. To The Shoreline
06. Break Darling Break [limited edition & Japanese bonus]
07. Eleven
08. 1979
09. Of Salt [limited edition & Japanese bonus]
10. The Deeper Cut
11. Mortar Grind
12. Through The Distance
13. The Physics Of Gridlock
14. End Credits
15. Last Night [Japanese bonus]
16. Thirty-Eight [Japanese bonus]

You might say that if you've heard Road Salt One, you already know all you need to know. After all, the title Road Salt Two kind of gives it away that it is a linked album that we have on our hands. You might say so... but I won't. Because it will be unjust regardless of whether you like the first part or don't. It's not to imply this album is all that different, or that it will blow your mind. No, but it is a fine piece of music, with nuances to be discovered on repeated listens.

So, having listened to the album for the first time I wasn't all that impressed. Because, well, it's a bit of the same, you know. And I had that dismissive feeling even though I kept enjoying numerous moments while listening. Not a good sign, that one. It usually turns out to be an album full of regret - regret that there's good stuff all over the otherwise mediocre pile of a repertoire. However, to my delight it turned out to be a false sign.

Road Salt Two seems to be quite a bit more refined than its predecessor. I don't know whether it's because it's a second venture in the bluesy territories or because the band seem to understand more where they are heading with this. Or because things have simply started falling into place better. And those details! Even now while writing this, I keep finding bits I haven't noticed before. Small things that can make you go I-swear-it-wasn't-there-before. Subtle stuff, I tell you.

I've been thinking for a while now what it is exactly that draws me in. I mean, I love the bluesy touch and the kick-ass songs along the lines of "Conditioned," "The Deeper Cut," and - personally a total winner - "Eleven." I love the general atmosphere and (un)expected passages, like drum insanity during carnival waltzing "Break Darling Break," or Daniel singing in French and also the similarities to the bluegrass classic "Rawhide" in "The Physics of Gridlock." Then there's the choice of instruments from orchestral strings and flutes to mandolins and cow-bells and whatnot.

Yet, I still can't say what's special about this album. To be fair, some moments seem to drag a bit. But I don't really keep noticing them among the rest. I think it's just that everything seems to be in the right place. It's a great album. You might not like it, but it is good. And listening to it, I think it's what Road Salt One was supposed to be, but somewhat failed to achieve the soundness of the same level. Road Salt Two is definitely the better part of the two.