Released: Sep 13, 2011
Genre: Hard Rock
Label: Atlantic, Roadrunner
Number Of Tracks: 10
Staind returns to its hard rock roots on the new release, but that doesn’t mean Aaron Lewis has eliminated his sensitive side.
StaindFeatured review by: UG Team, on september 09, 2011 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: For many a Staind fan, a good chunk of the Springfield, Massachusetts, band’s latest self-titled release is slightly old news. Songs like “Not Again” and “Eyes Wide Open” have been making the airplay rounds for several months now, but it’s never a terrible thing to create an early buzz. What you might have noticed upon hearing any of Staind’s seventh studio album is that it’s a fairly big leap away from the many acoustic and/or mellow vibe that has fueled quite a few of their hit songs. That’s not to say the album is devoid of mellower offerings, but the aggressive side of frontman Aaron Lewis is displayed prominently this time around.
The record kicks off with “Eyes Wide Open,” which has easily the most intense, spastic vocals of the 10 tracks. Given Lewis’ proclivity to do acoustic tours and the like, you do sometimes forget that he has the ability to deliver some in-your-face vocals – and that he does in “Eyes Wide Open.” While his phrasing goes every which way, at the most aggressive they broach Slipknot territory. No less intense is the track “Wannabe,” which combines a laid-back, cocky rap (with Snoop Dogg making a guest appearance) with an all-out yelling session. That particular song oozes machismo and a general “f**k you” attitude.
At the other end of the spectrum is “Falling,” which in the beginning moments almost seems like a nod to Alice In Chains in terms of the harmonies and chord progressions. That selection along with “Throw It All Away” and “Something To Remind You” are mellower, more emotional tracks that seem more in line with the Staind recordings of the past few years. Peppered throughout are plenty of chugged power chords (“Paper Wings”) and even some inspired intros (the mechanical yet sleek “Now”), but the biggest hits – if we’re looking at the band’s history – will be the songs that have the most memorable and sing-along-worthy choruses. The album never remains stagnant to be sure, and Staind fans in general should be pleased with the latest songwriting. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: The new Staind record, much like on former releases, doesn’t shy away from honest, emotional topics. This is an album for someone who isn’t afraid to punch a wall in one moment and cry over a lost love in the next. “Wannabe” – thanks to its overall hip-hop vibe – does tend to have a cockier approach with lyrics like, “I’m selling records what is it that you do; Sitting in your mama's basement with a shiatsu; Peanut butter on your dick.” That chest-pounding content is an anomaly, however, and most of the tracks lean toward reflective or passionate moments like the one in “Throw It All Away” (“It doesn't feel like this is over; It's never felt like it's begun; Always looking over my shoulder; Waiting for the end to come”). Aaron Lewis does have the ability to sell a wide variety of emotions, and that’s what makes the lyrics so effective in the end. // 8
Impression: For rock purists, Staind will deliver the goods this time around. Even though the band does often return to the big, straightforward chorus, the album is full of pretty angry moments – and that is pretty refreshing for a band that has so often delved into its sensitive side. The self-titled record isn’t necessarily breaking any sort of new ground (nor will it alienate any fans), but it’s likeable and certainly has its inspired moments. In the end, even with all the anger injected into the record, it’s hard to deny the most memorable and moving track is the stripped-down closing ballad “Something To Remind You.” // 8
Staind
Reviewed by:
Battman1993, on october 19, 2011 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: To be honest, I didn't know what to think when I heard Staind was releasing a new album. I've always liked everything Staind has done, but I hadn't heard anything from them in awhile. The first whiff of Staind-related music was when I bought Town Line, the solo country EP from Staind frontman Aaron Lewis (note: go read my review of said EP if you wish). When Aaron said that his country career was where the "soft" Staind songs would go, I got excited. A few months later, I got exposed to the first single from "Staind", a little tune called "Not Again". I didn't quite shit myself while listening to Not Again, but I was certainly amazed.
Now, I have the full album, and I must say that "Staind" is firmly on my top 10 list for best albums of 2011. Like the band members told us, "Staind" is a return to their early albums where they were a "metal" band. This album gets started off right with Eyes Wide Open, a charging slammer of a song that gives us the first glimpses of Aaron's potent scream. He doesn't overdo the screaming, but it nicely punctuates parts of the songs. Now, moving on to the aforementioned "Not Again". It starts with a clean guitar part and charges foward from there. It's on my top 10 songs list for sure. Other highlights include Failing, which seems like a lost Alice In Chains tune. "Wannabe" is actually a decent song, with Aaron Lewis taking a stab at rapping (no, Snopp Dogg doesn't appear on this song like it was rumored). "The Bottom" is a very Tool-esque song. "Paper Wings" benefits from a chugging riff.
However, the highlight of Staind is the last song, "Something To Remind You". It's the only ballad on this album, and it only has Aaron singing with electric guitar. Aaron's voice is beautiful on this song. Overall, Staind is a nice return to their early days. It's heavy as hell and benefits from some nice guitar solos from Mike Mushok and slamming low-end provided by bassist Johnny April and drummer Jon Wysocki (who left midway through the recording of Staind due to issues with the band members, Aaron Lewis in particular). It's too bad that Wysocki left, because he laid down some very nice drums on this offering. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: I've already aluded above to what you can expect from Aaron Lewis this time around. He mostly sings, with screams accenting parts of songs. He does rap on "Wannabe" and it's not terrible.
Lyrically, Aaron has never been a political theorist or a fairy-tale writer. His lyrics are about what he goes through in his life. He can certainly write a good hook. On this album, Aaron said most of his lyrics were inspired by the tension in the band during the recording. I won't elaborate on them, you can interpret them yourself. // 8
Impression: Staind's seventh self-titled album is like a re-birth for them. It harkens back to the metal sound found on their first two albums "Tormented" and "Dysfunction". Aaron is screaming on some songs while his bandmates bash metal bangers all around him. It's one of the best albums of this year and is not a waste of precious cash. // 8
Staind
Reviewed by:
HoverFan#1, on october 03, 2011 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Their last album to feature drummer Jon Wysocki, Staind is finally giving the old fans what they want: another heavy album with screaming! This is definitely their best album in my opinion. They went right from their worst album to their best album!
1. "Eyes Wide Open" - This is currently my favorite song. A lot of internal rhymes and a solo that sounds really hard, but is actually really easy.
2. "Not Again" - The first single off the album. The first half of the solo sounds kinda bluesy. There was actually a solo contest, won by Kevin Curry.
3. "Failing" - The verses to this one sounds really Alice In Chains-like. The chorus is simply perfect!
4. "Wannabe" - When I heard a sample of this song on YouTube, I wasn't too sure about it, because it's rap and Wikipedia said it features Snoop Dogg. The latter was disproved by the fact that no one is credited for the vocals except singer Aaron Lewis. Also because the documentary shows Aaron recording it. It was just something some idiot put up there. They had a pretty good time writing the lyrics, like "I'm selling records. What is it that you do? Sitting in your mama's basement with her shih tzu. Peanut butter on your dick, right hand going click, with your left hand giving you a rim job." I'm glad I listened to it anyway.
5. "Throw It All Away" - "It's never enough to break down inside. It's never enough to hold on to pride. It's never enough to give up your soul." Very deep.
7. "The Bottom" - I love the beginning! It's played by hitting the strings above the pickups, much like "Crawl" from "Dysfunction". It's my second favorite song. This song is featured on the "Transformers: Dark Of The Moon" soundtrack. It was the first new song I heard, when I went on YouTube and typed in "new Staind" to see if there was anything. I once told some whiner that Aaron would never scream again. I guess I was wrong!
9. "Paper Wings" - When I heard this song, for some reason I thought of Limp Bizkit, even though I don't like them, and I've only heard one song, which doesn't really sound like this. Oh well... The talk box part is pretty awesome! And so is the solo at the beginning (wait did he just steal my idea?!?!) and end.
10. "Something To Remind You" - Oh god I sure hope Staind isn't breaking up, because it sure sounds like it. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics to the songs on this album are pretty awesome! Especially the chorus of "Failing". Avenged Sevenfold's "Buried Alive" and "Fiction" are the only other songs I can think of that have parts that perfect. Once again, Aaron Lewis does a fantastic singing job! // 10
Impression: I compare much of this album with "Tormented", "Dysfunction", and "Break The Cycle". I'm impressed by the entire album and the fact that Staind could make something like this again. Also that Aaron can still scream so well after ten years! I love the whole album! // 10
I saw them at Rock on the Range 2011, their first show for their new tour and album and they played "Not Again" as their second song. I was actually pretty excited because it seemed like they were trying to stick with the harder stuff, they started with "Spleen" and went straight into "Not Again". I was pretty excited for this CD and for good reason, I think it's great.
I was shocked by the album. This is what shouldve come after break the cycle. Its a pretty decent album.
This... but it might just be a little bit too late for an album like this. If they released it after BtC they would have been legends. But after all these mellow effords, it's still pretty decend... If you like 'old' Staind!
yea, I downloaded it and its pretty solid. I will pick up a copy when it comes out next week along with the new Anthrax. Wish it was a little longer though and I already had "the Bottom" from a soundtrack.
I can't wait for this album. Aaron has always been one of my favorite singers and lyricists and from everything I've heard and read, this album is going to be epic!
To DemonicTurtle66, keep in mind that Spleen isn't on this new CD, it's an older song of theirs that I think fits in with the direction they took this CD.
To DemonicTurtle66, keep in mind that Spleen isn't on this new CD, it's an older song of theirs that I think fits in with the direction they took this CD.
Well if it's the direction they took with this CD then I'll pick it up. I don't mind the slower tracks (It's been a while, Zoe Jane, Outside) but I definitely like heavier stuff better.
inb4 someone saying "STAIND ISNT HEAVY". I meant heavy for Staind.
No less intense is the track “Wannabe,” which combines a laid-back, cocky rap (with Snoop Dogg making a guest appearance) with an all-out yelling session.
This album is okay, it definitely has it's moments (both good and bad), but I don't think this album is going to stick with me long. It feels like an intentionally heavy record to show up all the "fans" that said Staind "sold-out" or "have gone soft" from their previous album. To me, Staind has taken a two steps forward in a new musical direction and this album is one step back. Yeah, the signature Staind hooks are there and Mike's baritone guitars are back in full force, but it feels really flat. In their discography, I'd rank it 4th behind Break The Cycle, Chapter V, and Dysfunction and ahead of 14 Shades of Grey, The Illusion of Progress and Tormented. Mediocre album with a few bright spots. I'd give it a 6/10.
aaron lewis can play whatever the hell he wants to play. he is one of the most talented musicians/song writers of this generation. The last song on this album, "Something to Remind You," further proved that for me. I'm a huge fan of heavy music and have never cried once for any song...until now. Damn you, Aaron Lewis.
So many snobs on this website in terms of music. This is a great follow-up to the past 2 outings, especially the illusion of progress. @Ibeanez, I see nothing but negativity from your posts the majority of the time. If you opened your mind up more to music and less to cynical snobby outlooks, you might enjoy more music. Aaron writes good country, and Wannabe is an excellent rap rock offering in the vein of Limp Bizkit and HED PE.
So many snobs on this website in terms of music. This is a great follow-up to the past 2 outings, especially the illusion of progress. @Ibeanez, I see nothing but negativity from your posts the majority of the time. If you opened your mind up more to music and less to cynical snobby outlooks, you might enjoy more music. Aaron writes good country, and Wannabe is an excellent rap rock offering in the vein of Limp Bizkit and HED PE.
Thank goodness for users like yourself. We need more of you!
So many snobs on this website in terms of music. This is a great follow-up to the past 2 outings, especially the illusion of progress. @Ibeanez, I see nothing but negativity from your posts the majority of the time. If you opened your mind up more to music and less to cynical snobby outlooks, you might enjoy more music. Aaron writes good country, and Wannabe is an excellent rap rock offering in the vein of Limp Bizkit and HED PE.
I'm glad you see negativity in my posts about crap music. If liking good music makes me a snob, then I'm glad to be one. None of your business really. Apparently you think being open to music also means you have to listen to crap as well. "Excellent rap rock" and "Limp Bizkit"? Sounds like your mind is closed to music. I enjoy good music of all kinds, more good music is always welcome.
Ibeanez wrote:
I'm glad you see negativity in my posts about crap music. If liking good music makes me a snob, then I'm glad to be one. None of your business really. Apparently you think being open to music also means you have to listen to crap as well. "Excellent rap rock" and "Limp Bizkit"? Sounds like your mind is closed to music. I enjoy good music of all kinds, more good music is always welcome.
I agree to what you're saying to an extent. Being open-minded does not mean you have to like everything, that's impossible. There's not a single person on this planet that has liked every song they've ever heard. Being open-minded, in my opinion, is having the willingness to give any type of music a listen regardless of genre and whatnot. I think too many people confuse snobbery with an honest opinion. "Wannabe" is a pretty bad song and it's not because I have a close-mind and I hate rap-rock, in fact, I'm a big fan of rap-rock, but I'm not afraid to admit that I don't like a song. If anybody is close-minded here, it's the fans that blindly follow a band and just eat up anything they release and then ridicule people that say anything negative about their favorite band. "You don't like what I like??? You're a close-minded music snob!!!" Wahwahwah. Always quick to point the finger at somebody else and make somebody else look bad because they don't share the same opinion as you.
So many snobs on this website in terms of music. This is a great follow-up to the past 2 outings, especially the illusion of progress. @Ibeanez, I see nothing but negativity from your posts the majority of the time. If you opened your mind up more to music and less to cynical snobby outlooks, you might enjoy more music. Aaron writes good country, and Wannabe is an excellent rap rock offering in the vein of Limp Bizkit and HED PE.
I'm glad you see negativity in my posts about crap music. If liking good music makes me a snob, then I'm glad to be one. None of your business really. Apparently you think being open to music also means you have to listen to crap as well. "Excellent rap rock" and "Limp Bizkit"? Sounds like your mind is closed to music. I enjoy good music of all kinds, more good music is always welcome.
Your opinion on what is good music is just an opinion. And it looks like you don't realize that. Therefore you are a closed minded music snob.
Ibeanez wrote:
I'm glad you see negativity in my posts about crap music. If liking good music makes me a snob, then I'm glad to be one. None of your business really. Apparently you think being open to music also means you have to listen to crap as well. "Excellent rap rock" and "Limp Bizkit"? Sounds like your mind is closed to music. I enjoy good music of all kinds, more good music is always welcome.
I agree to what you're saying to an extent. Being open-minded does not mean you have to like everything, that's impossible. There's not a single person on this planet that has liked every song they've ever heard. Being open-minded, in my opinion, is having the willingness to give any type of music a listen regardless of genre and whatnot. I think too many people confuse snobbery with an honest opinion. "Wannabe" is a pretty bad song and it's not because I have a close-mind and I hate rap-rock, in fact, I'm a big fan of rap-rock, but I'm not afraid to admit that I don't like a song. If anybody is close-minded here, it's the fans that blindly follow a band and just eat up anything they release and then ridicule people that say anything negative about their favorite band. "You don't like what I like??? You're a close-minded music snob!!!" Wahwahwah. Always quick to point the finger at somebody else and make somebody else look bad because they don't share the same opinion as you.
I didn't really care for the song I heard from it....sounds like a band trying to sound like themselves...which never turns out good. Just my opinion though.
Does anyone know if Mike uses his baritone guitar at all on this album?
Yes, on most of the album definitely and it sounds like he's tuning it lower than he ever has before. The 6th string is definitely tuned Ab or lower although I haven't tried it out just yet and Staind is known to use plenty of alternate tunings. I've seen in interview where Mike said he uses over 20 different tunings which is insane.
So many snobs on this website in terms of music. This is a great follow-up to the past 2 outings, especially the illusion of progress. @Ibeanez, I see nothing but negativity from your posts the majority of the time. If you opened your mind up more to music and less to cynical snobby outlooks, you might enjoy more music. Aaron writes good country, and Wannabe is an excellent rap rock offering in the vein of Limp Bizkit and HED PE.
I'm glad you see negativity in my posts about crap music. If liking good music makes me a snob, then I'm glad to be one. None of your business really. Apparently you think being open to music also means you have to listen to crap as well. "Excellent rap rock" and "Limp Bizkit"? Sounds like your mind is closed to music. I enjoy good music of all kinds, more good music is always welcome.
Your opinion on what is good music is just an opinion. And it looks like you don't realize that. Therefore you are a closed minded music snob.
Are you really so ignorant about music that you think there is no objective way to separate the good from the bad? Opinion is a much smaller part of it than you think. And as I said, I take it as a compliment that you call me a snob for not dumbing myself down.
Does anyone know if Mike uses his baritone guitar at all on this album?
Yes, on most of the album definitely and it sounds like he's tuning it lower than he ever has before. The 6th string is definitely tuned Ab or lower although I haven't tried it out just yet and Staind is known to use plenty of alternate tunings. I've seen in interview where Mike said he uses over 20 different tunings which is insane.
That's pretty cool. I've always been a fan of Mike's baritone and the tone it has, and I was kind of disappointed that he didn't use it on the Illusion of progress. Glad they're bringing it back.
I've always been a fan of Staind. Picked up the album the other day and fell in love with it. It's a nice "return to form" for them and I hope that they keep up with it.
first album of stainds ive paid attention to in years. didnt like more then a few between fourteen shades of grey and this. While nothing will ever touch tormented and dysfunction this is definitely a step in the right direction. As for people saying the sound of the album seems forced I can agree to an extent. Some of the songs seem to be a bit forced, but there is also quite a few songs that are well put together.
I definitely did not expect this album to be as great as it is. Aaron Lewis is an amazing singer and one of my favorite music artists, but so many disappointing albums came out this year i was preparing for the worst. Thanks Staind and p.s. Ibeanez is a snob.
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