Staind

           Let us just say that they have been planning an album like this for a long time.Their 2003 concept album 14 Shades of Grey followed an idea of making a pretty cohesive album; it has many of the songs sound similiar if you don't pay enough attention, but like the subtle shades of gray there are definite differences in those songs. It also made me happy when I listened to the single with no video. How about you? Their next album, Chapter V, followed in this saga with many great songs and musicianship, but did not follow the same concept. I will not name my favorite tracks because the majority of them would be listed, but their last is a different story. It has been said that they went in there ready to make their heaviest record yet, but instead made a record that was an Illusion of Progress with subtle blues and floydian influences ("The Corner" ). My favorites had to be save me, lost along the way, break away, and tangled up in you, besides the aforementioned track.               They definitely open up this album with their "Eyes Wide Open" and Lewis' hoarse throat as he returns back to the days of being Tormented during his Dysfunction. The first track is a welcome return, with that killer groove, and a kick in the butt for those who thought they couldn't make those kinds of songs anymore. He screams! "Not Again!" but only again, and then the bluesy and slightly fried solo, along with harmonies that remind me of Alice in Chains? If that was not enough, he ends with his guttural howl. The next song really does remind me of Alice in Chains, and you can say whatever, but I don't think they are "Failing" at making a nice attempt in a homage (not literally a homage, but the sound reminds me of that band). If you "Wannabe" a hater, feel free to, but if you are, the lyrics (which are great) may be directed towards you. This next track reminds me of  Limp Bizkit in style. Snoop Doggy Dogg drops some verses while Lewis also decides to scream a little; there may be a little shredding. I thought this was gonna be a heavy record and then you "Throw It All Away." There may be a slight twang in this song's guitar licks, and it is a nice break from the last few tracks.             This next track sounds like it could be one from the album that wanted to Break The Cycle, and ended up selling them many records with that little retrospective hit..hmmm... it's been a while since I had listened to that album, what was the name of that single? Great solo too. A song that is perfect in scoring one's descendance to 'The Bottom' that may just end up causing that person to have an epiphany and break that deadly addiction that is causing them to drown; the distortion, rhythms,and the echo just cause me to envision someone slowly doing so. Among hearing that staccato riff at the forefront in the beginning makes me think that I definitely should buy their new record "NOW!" or at least try to figure out which path I should choose if I want to better my life because the lyrics are about deciding how to better what you have, and the only one that can change that ever-present fork in the road in the back of your mind is you. The next song sounds like an anthem for the hopeless, the undeniably angry, the heavily depressed, the king of all excuses, and those that loved Staind's sound in the late nineties. This last track is "Something To Remind You" that even though the bulk of this record was as heavy as they have ever been they can still write beautiful, harmonic gems, that can also be heart-breaking at the same time; I like his vocals the best on this song.