Well it's been a good few weeks since this album actually came out. But I feel that by having the album in my ears for almost a month has really let me see what this album has to offer and to hear all the subtle bits and pieces. Now it's been 3 years since we last saw a new Staind record. The guys toured for a solid 2 years off the last album, and now after some time off and solo projects, the boys are back. And whats this? They promised (yet again....), a heavy record! They may not have delivered on that promise with the last album, but rest assured, they hit it out of the park this time around.
Greeting you with a heavy and firm handshake, the opener "Eyes Wide Open" begins with heavy bass and drums before the explosion of guitar and vocals. It's angry, it's fast, and most importantly it's heavy! Lewis' screaming is raw and gutteral, while Mushok tears across the scales in some of the best solo work he's done. The tone for the album has been set.
If you haven't heard track 2 already, you clearly don't own a radio. "Not Again" is at it's 3rd week as #1 for rock radio. If you've heard it, you know, this isn't just some candy-ass radio tune. It's a solid 4 and a half minutes of hard riffs, but there's a surprising amount of melody here. It's as if the last albums broad textures and mood have had some influence.
Easily my favorite song on this record, "Failing", shares the perspective of just not being able to get through to someone close to you. Anyone who has felt that can vouch that it's a painful and confusing endeavor, and Lewis conveys it here without flaw. You can hear and feel the pain in Lewis' voice. The song has tons of AIC like melody, and great lyrical depth. Yet again Mushok shreds his hands off, while bassist Johhny (Old School) April keeps the slow but steady momentum going. The end of the song winds out in a heavy punchy breakdown. Easily a repeat listen.
No doubt if there's any song on the record that really breaks the mold, it's "Wannabe". For the first time we hear Lewis rapping in an angry response to the Youtube trollers. It's as heavy as a 70's Caddilac and comes off just mean. And for a band that made "All I Want", this is a big redemption! Again Lewis proves why he is one of the, if not THE best vocalist of our time. Rapping, singing, and screaming, all done perfectly. The guitar simply boils through the verse and chorus parts. Lyrically it's a big departure aswell. The opening line is "I'm selling records What is it that you do? Sitting in your mama's basement with a shiatsu, Peanut butter on your dick, Right hand going click, With your left hand giving you a rim job" Nuff said here, haha. Solid song with all the makings of a classic...
"Throw It All Away" takes the seat of song 5 here and while it's got a more mellow tone, it's also abit more complex, and much more textured than the other songs here. Yet again Lewis' voice comes through as honest and heartfelt. The guitar provides waves of sound with the bass in close tow, while the drums leave abit to be desired. Ironic since this song seems to be about the departure of long time drummer of the band, Jon Wysocki. Despite the shortcoming of flat drums, this song is still a great listen. Several pace changes keep the tones and textures flowing through the musical landscape.
With it's slow wind-up it's easy to think at first that "Take A Breath" is going to be another heavily textured, lighter stepping song... well that's half right. The musical texture here is timeless. The guitar is heavy and fast without giving up it's maturity. Lewis' raw un-autotuned voice shines again, easily shaming most of the genre's peers. Easily a song you'll want to replay. It has depth in every riff, scream, and note right to the end.
Evil, simply evil. That's the thought that comes to mind with the wrenching intro to "The Bottom". And that attitude carries through the whole song. Released earlier for the Transformers 3 soundtrack back in June, this song has really had time to get old. But it hasn't. After seeing the film, it really does fit the movie. Its heavy and chuggy the whole song through. This song never really lets up until the dust has settled.
Is this Staind? A question that's easy to ask upon hearing the opening licks to "Now". Easily the fastest song Staind has ever put out. It's also the first Staind song to prominently feature double-bass from the drummer. The real shock here, it's a heavy and fast song without really being angry. The tone is more upbeat, but it doesn't take away from anything. Mushok, again just shredds his way through this one, ending with a mean closing riff and solo.
Easily one of the heaviest songs Staind has ever composed "Paper Wings" starts with attitude, and ends with it. If you like chugs, screaming, solos, etc... it's all here. Yet again, Staind prove they haven't forgotten what the band started out as. Words can't truly describe this song.
It's something you must here. A friend of mine actually described this song as "heavier than dinosaur shit". And he was spot on with that. I truly hope this song gets sent to radio. The radio could use something worth a shit to play.
The closer here, "Something To Remind You", is a slower tune. Much softer than the rest here. It's only Lewis and a guitar. But it's anything but shleppy radio crap. In all reality this song will likely never see radio single duty. And that's okay because it wasn't written for it. It's a truely great song. Much like "Outside" was before the radio ruined it. But this song is much more fitting for a funeral than the radio. A small bluesy solo in the middle is the only flash the song has or needs. This song is great because despite being simple and slow, it manages to show emotion and feeling.
Overall the album shines in many ways. And while it isn't perfect, it's about the best album released this year. It's solid the whole way through, and although it's only 10 songs, there is NO FILLER content on this album. The industry standard may be 13-16 songs, but bands like Staind, that really sing and play thier own music and put time, devotion, and heart into the music they craft, are well about the industry standard. They have forged thier way here with real talent, not with auto-tune and pro-tools holding thier hand. And this album proves once again, Staind is indeed a force to be reckoned with and a band that will be around for quite awhile. On a scale of 1 to 10, this album is a solid 9. It could have been longer, and it's not the bands best work, but it's VERY close.
Oh and if you pre-ordered VIA Itunes, you got 2 extra tracks, but they are just live versions of existing Staind songs. Nothing new really. Hope you enojoyed! I know I did.
Heres a few links incase you haven't checked out this album yet:
