| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [2] |
| Cross Rhythms |  [1] |
| HM | [3] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | [4] |
| Q | [5] |
The Fundamental Elements of Southtown is the third studio album and major label debut of Christian metal band P.O.D., released on August 24, 1999. It went on to become the band's first platinum album, peaking at No. 51 on the Billboard 200 chart in April 2000.[6] It was the 143rd best-selling album of 2000 in the United States.[7] "Southtown" and "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)" became the album's singles, both of which were accompanied by music videos. The album also includes a cover of U2's "Bullet the Blue Sky".
Cover art
The album's artwork was censored when sold in Christian bookstores, with retailers complaining about a cigar and also claiming the cover was "pagan".[8][9]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Greetings" | 1:29 |
| 2. | "Hollywood" (featuring Lisa Papineau) | 5:22 |
| 3. | "Southtown" | 4:08 |
| 4. | "Checkin' Levels" | 1:06 |
| 5. | "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)" | 3:24 |
| 6. | "Lie Down" | 5:09 |
| 7. | "Set Your Eyes to Zion" | 4:06 |
| 8. | "Lo Siento" | 0:33 |
| 9. | "Bullet the Blue Sky" (U2 cover) (featuring Lisa Papineau) | 5:18 |
| 10. | "Psalm 150" | 0:55 |
| 11. | "Image" | 3:32 |
| 12. | "Shouts" | 0:55 |
| 13. | "Tribal" | 4:26 |
| 14. | "Freestyle" | 3:57 |
| 15. | "Follow Me" | 3:43 |
| 16. | "Outkast" ("Outkast" lasts 4:16, Hidden Track "Tambura" begins at 6:22) | 9:33 |
Awards
2000 San Diego Music Awards
- Album of the Year
- Song of the Year - "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)"
2001 GMA Dove Awards
- Short Form Music Video of the Year - "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)"
Personnel
- Sonny Sandoval – vocals
- Marcos Curiel – lead guitar
- Traa Daniels – bass
- Wuv Bernardo – drums, rhythm guitar
Other personnel
- DJ Circa – turntables
- Santos – percussion
- Howard Benson – keyboards, production
- Robert Green Brooks- engineer, mixing
Limited edition bonus EP
The Limited edition bonus EP was released by P.O.D. as a free CD given away with the purchase of their first mainstream album, The Fundamental Elements of Southtown, in 1999. It contained a new version of the song "Draw the Line" (from the album Snuff the Punk) and the demo version of "Lie Down" (on The Fundamental Elements of Southtown). It also has the new track "It's About Time", the instrumental demo "Estrella", the intro "Warriors Come Out to Play...", and a track with "Messages for Your Answering Machine". Because of its limited release, it is now considered a collector's item.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Warriors Come Out to Play..." | 0:40 |
| 2. | "Draw the Line" (Fundamental Version) | 3:16 |
| 3. | "It's About Time" (Demo) | 4:13 |
| 4. | "Lie Down" (Demo) | 4:23 |
| 5. | "Estrella" (Demo) | 4:33 |
| 6. | "Messages for your Answering Machine" | 1:42 |
References
- ^ a b "P.O.D. - The Fundamental Elements of Southtown". Cross Rhythms.
- ^ a b "The Fundamental Elements of Southtown - P.O.D." Allmusic.
- ^ Van Pelt, Doug (September–October 1999). "Album Reviews: P.O.D. the fundamental elements of southtown". HM (79). ISSN 1066-6923.
- ^ "P.O.D., 'The Fundamental Elements of Southtown' Review". Jesus Freak Hideout.
- ^ "POD - Fundamental Elements of Southtown CD Album". CD Universe. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
- ^ "The Fundamental Elements of Southtown - P.O.D. : Awards". AllMusic. August 17, 1999. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums - 2000 Year End Charts: 141 - 160 | Billboard". Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ "Artwork Controversy". www.crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
- ^ "Christian bands trickle into mainstream". DeseretNews.com. September 14, 2002. Retrieved May 10, 2019.