While a good half of Road Salt Two does sound like, well, "Road Salt Two", as expected,
it is considerably darker and holds more surprises than its predecessor, with a few more
progressive elements and even a dab of folk and blues thrown into the mix. Though there
are some weaker moments, like the plodding "Mortar Grind" (which should have been replaced
with fellow Linoleum EP song "Gone") or the Lenny Kravitz-esque first half of "Conditioned",
this is still the endlessly surprising Pain of Salvation we know and love (unless you're one
of those that believe the band died with Be, or even Remedy Lane). Those who embraced the
previous album's aesthetic but were still hoping for something more may very well be satisfied
with this album. I know I am. Recommended tracks: The Deeper Cut, To The Shoreline, Healing Now,
1979, The Physics Of Gridlock
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