“Come Clean” Puddle of Mud Compare to: Fuel, Cold, The Cult *** 1/2

True or False: Given that Puddle of Mudd is the creative genius behind the current hit song “Control,” which contains the lyrics “I love the way you smack my ass,” and given that Mr. Limp Noodle himself, Fred Durst, signed the band to his new record company, Flawless, Puddle’s debut album, “Come Clean,” isn’t worth the brown residue found between frontman Wesley Reid’s ass cheeks.

Surprisingly, the answer is false.

Just listen to nearly any of the other ten tracks on the album and what will be revealed is a band that actually has some worth to its existence. And most surprising of all, Puddle of Mudd isn’t nu-metal.

Take “Out of My Head,” for example. Although the lyrics seem to lack any real direction, the track as a whole is a fine example of high energy, testosterone-filled rock. The grinding guitars, strong drums and lyrical structure make for a dynamic, fist-pounding-on-the-steering-wheel song.

“Bring Me Down” is another example of hard-hitting goodness. The most noteworthy aspect of this song is the way the vocals blends with the guitar for the chorus. With the lyrics “make no promises to me/ you’re slowly melting/ baby Jesus never sleeps/ when you’re being a sinner,” “Bring Me Down” probably provides the most interesting vocals.

“She Hates Me” is a fun little song about, well, an abusive woman. What makes this song so fun is that it starts with sort of an oldies, southern twang sound, before picking up speed and forming more of an edge.

The worst song of the album, aside from “Control,” would have to be “Nobody Told Me.” As with most of the tracks on “Come Clean,” the lyrics fall short on substance and originality. Additionally, the instrumentation is less than impressive as the distortion-driven melody seems to be played with only one chord throughout the entirety of the song. Maybe the fact that Durst got his grubby little hands on this track has something to do with why it’s so unappealing.

No, Puddle of Mudd isn’t cutting edge, and no, its members aren’t influential. But they are good ear candy, as most of the album flows with a certain electrical force, a force that seems just right to help pass the time on those long car trips. So give “Come Clean” a spin, just be sure to stay away from Wesley’s ass!

-Joel Federer

“Fome is Dape” Little-T and One Track Mike Compare to: Eminem, Beastie Boys ****

It will be easy for critics and music fans alike to compare Little-T and One Track Mike to Eminem.

Little-T’s voice and knack for clever lyrics – as well as skin color – are similar to the blond-mopped hip-hop superstar’s, but the likeness ends there.

If Rivers Cuomo formed a rap group it might sound like Little-T and One Track Mike. Not to say that Little-T sounds anything like Weezer, but no genre quite fits the band as well as geek rap.

Little-T’s geeky sense of humor pops up throughout the piano- and horn-driven “Wings,” a song that takes the standard hip-hop theme of dreaming of a better life to a world that isn’t exactly the ghetto.

“If I had wings, my luck would change/ I would live above the clouds where it never rains/ where I can’t get hit by a bus or train or bird poop/ like I always do,” Little-T cleverly rhymes.

Other songs like the slacker rap anthem “Kick in the Ass” bump along with lyrics such as, “It’s been three weeks and a day since I last brushed my teeth/ my breath is so bad that I can’t smell my feet.”

“Deadman” is Little-T’s tribute to hypochondriacs, during which he manages to rhyme, “Oh help me doctor, I’m illin’, my heart is failin’/, I’m retaining water, start bailing me out, I think I might have gout.”

But amusing geek songs are not the only pens in Little-T’s pocket protector.

“Loose Endin'” is a love song that perfectly spells out the thoughts of many unlucky guys who are fretting over a dream girl who probably sees them as nothing more than a really good friend. “I want benefits, I want a pension plan/ I want to know if you even give a damn/ if I could kiss your cheek or hold your hand in public/ you know I’d love it.”

One Track Mike is the Pentium 4 chip that runs Little-T’s rhyme PC, laying down arty beats that range from classic R&B to `80s pop.

Little-T and One Track Mike, both former Rutgers University students, use very little profanity in “Fome is Dape,” a surprise that feels like a spray of Binaca in the dirty mouth of hip-hop.

With plenty of possible singles on hand and nonstop clever lyrics and music, Little-T and One Track Mike are ready to become the kings of geek rap.

—Jon Dahlager