If you hear hints of Marilyn Manson, Ozzy Osborne, or Korn in Saliva's first album, it's no accident. Producer Bob Marlette has worked with Ozzy Osborne, Marilyn Manson, Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath. Mixer Steve Thompson has worked with Korn, Metallica, and Guns & Roses. But while those heavy-hitters provided plenty of polish, Saliva should have named the album after their track "Lackluster."

In the first single from Every Six Seconds, "Superstar," lead singer Josey Scott tries for the raspy danger of Marilyn Manson's vocals but sounds more like Sammy Hagar.

You can almost hear the agent behind the scenes, crying for a marketable hit. In reply, Saliva decided to hit all the potential markets. "Musta Been Wrong" and "Click Click Boom" are like a watered down Rage Against the Machine, with Van Hagar style harmony vocals polluting the otherwise driving delivery.

And the rap? Here's a sample: "Click, Click Boom. I'm coming down on the stereo, hear me on the radio, click, click boom. I'm coming down with the new style and you know it's buck wild. Click, Click Boom. I'm on the radio station touring round the nation, leaving the scene in devastation."

Um. Right. Maybe if the DJs run out of good rapcore.

The other two obvious singles are "Your Disease," and "Hollywood," with "Hollywood" sounding a little too much like the Shawn Mullins hit "Lullaby" for comfort. It's got the same dreamy lyrics about Tinsletown, except in this case the singer sees Hollywood as the answer to all of his problems.

And that's the problem. This album screams, "Make me famous." Even the album art features a pre-teen Saliva fan, who can be seen sporting such merchandise as a Saliva necklace, mini-backpack and a Saliva poster in various photos.

No doubt Scott, with his hip young Ozzy looks, will appeal to a certain undeveloped musical taste. This group, as pre-packaged and slick as any recent Top 40 offering, may very well be the next 'N Sync to the pre-teen metal lovers. But make no mistake, this album is more like Ozzy's first limp attempts at going solo than it is like any powerhouse signature tune from Black Sabbath.

Every Six Seconds, Saliva
Island Def Jam Music Group, 2001