Staind - 14 Shades of Grey (with Limited Edition Bonus DVD)
|
List Price: Our Price: $10.71 You Save: $3.25 (23%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for 14 Shades of Grey (with Limited Edition Bonus DVD)
Free Music Review: It's an Acquired Taste
Hit: 5 Stars
My reasons for writing reviews are primarily two: 1) I feel so compelled because of the quality (either good or bad) that I must share my thoughts with others; and/or 2) I feel the need to counter what I consider unfair reviews already listed. In this case, I am writing for both reasons.First, I can empathize with those who are disappointed by 14 Shades of Grey. Admittedly, this album lacks the same "edge" of Break the Cycle, and is a long cry from Staind's earlier days with albums like Tormented and Dysfunction. Therefore, for those who grew up with Staind from the beginning, 14 Shades may seem like it's a sell-out to commercialism, nothing more than a bunch of pop hits.
Having said this, I think this opinion is misguided. Far from selling out, I think Staind has matured as a group. Becoming more musical is not selling out; it's a sign of maturity. By means of comparison, let's consider Metallica vs. U2. In my opinion, Metallica sold out. The reason I belief this is because they continue to try to make heavy metal music, but no longer feel the angst they did at 18. Therefore, it's artificial, and you can feel it. Every album since the black album (and some say, since Cliff Burton died), they've been artificial. U2, on the other hand, has matured and evolved. Gone are the days of Sunday Bloody Sunday. But they've been replaced with great music still. This is how I see Staind. They may no longer produce songs that grate against the soul (a good thing), but they still produce soulful songs. Anyone who listens to Zoe Jane (a ballad to Aaron Lewis' daughter) will know what I mean.
In conclusion, while 14 Shades lacks edge, it more than makes up for it in truly great music. Indeed, 14 Shades is one of the few albums released these days that you can listen to all the way through. EVERY song is good. Granted, it takes some getting used to if you expected songs like those from Dysfunction, Tormented, or Break the Cycle, but if you give it a chance, I think you'll learn to love it as I have. In fact, I think it's the best Staind album to date.
P.S. For what it's worth, here's how I rate the songs:
1) So Far Away - 10/10
2) How About You - 10/10
3) Zoe Jane - 10/10
4) Fray - 9/10 (reminiscent of Break the Cycle)
5) Could it Be - 9/10
6) Reality - 8/10
7) Yesterday - 8/10
8) Tonight - 7/10
9) Price to Play - 7/10
10) Intro - 7/10 (they open the concert with this)
11) Fill Me Up - 7/10
12) Layne - 7/10
13) Falling Down - 6/10
14) Blow Away - 6/10
Free Music Review: The boys from Boston do it again...
Hit: 5 Stars
I have been a Staind fan ever since the original release of their 1997 (or was it 1996...) debut album "Tormented" (which, by the way, was shelved for a few years due to graphic cover imagery, but later re-released). "14 Shades Of Grey" is not, by any stretch of the imagination as heavy as either of Staind's first two releases ("Tormented" & "Dysfunction"), yet it doesn't have the same degree of pop rock sheen as their third release, "Break The Cycle"...therefore placing it in between those two extremes. This album is, however, the band's most melodically emotive offering to date. Aaron Lewis' vocals remain tight as ever, guitarist Mike Mushok, although not as innovative as he was back in the pre-"Break The Cycle" days, still comes through with some good riffs, and the one-two punch of rhythm section Johnny April and Jon Wysocki (bass & drums respectively) remains unquestionably solid. Standout tracks on this album include the hard rocking first single "Price To Play", "How About You" (a track with great chorus lyrics I might add), the beautifully written "Zoe Jane", the respectful tribute to late Alice In Chains frontman Layne Staley titled, cleverly enough, "Layne", and the closing track with the rather interesting title of "Intro"; which, as the very direct lyrics imply, is a song of thanks from Aaron Lewis to all those in his life for "putting up with him".
With this fourth release, the Boston quartet has clearly established itself as one of the mainstays in the modern rock world, despite all the criticism from skeptics who have tended to label them as "just another nü-metal band". Staind may have taken things to the extreme as far as melodicism goes on this album, but that decision takes nothing away from their great songwriting abilities. "Break The Cycle" had 5 hit singles ("It's Been Awhile, "Outside", "Fade", "For You", "Epiphany") and went over 6x platinum internationally...can "14 Shades Of Grey" top these achievements? Only time will tell...
The bonus DVD included with this disc, entitled "Homegrown" is a real treat as well...a rare, 40-minute look into the history of the band since 1996, featuring the making of videos, discussions about songwriting, live concert footage, and some just all-around comical segments of Lewis, Mushok, April, and Wysocki.
Free Music Review: incredible
Hit: 5 Stars
How can you beat "Break the Cycle"?? It's impossible. With songs like "outside", "It's been a While", and "Epiphany" all on the same album?? Staind will never beat that!! But guess what? They did here. When I bought "14 Shades of Grey" I was kind of nervous because I didnt think Staind could get any heavier then they were on their previous albums. And I was right....they werent heavier.....just much better. On "14 Shades of Grey" you get a mature Staind. A Staind that is tired of singing about how bad their lives have been and ready to start singing about how good they have it. The song " So Far Away" captures this brilliantly. " How About You?" is a motivational song that really captures you while your listening to it. To put these two songs one after the other is not only amazing, it's brilliant. The most passionate song on the album is "Zoe Jane", a beautiful song about Aaron Lewis' daughter. It's simialr to Creed's " With Arms Wide Open " only much better. The music is harder and the lyrics are more well thought out. If you liked the Staind from the previous albums then " Price to Play", "Yesterday", and "Fill Me Up" are the songs for you. The three of these are the hardest songs on the album and they give you that vintage Staind that so many fans love. My favorite song is "Fray". The chorus is the best part of this work of art. Aaron's voice soars on this one and his band backs him up with extraordinary greatness. The two songs that are new age Staind are "Layne" and "Intro". "Layne" is an interesting but great song that mixes acoustic sound with raw electric sound. Im still trying to figure out whether Aaron's happy or sad on that track however. "Intro" closes the album and there is not better song to do that. Aaron's voice is different on this one. Its more digital and the drumming is absolutely immense. The other songs: "Falling Down", "Tonight", "Could It Be", and "Blow Away" are great hard numbers that mix happy, positive music with darker words. "Could It Be" in my eyes, expemlifies that the most. "14 Shades of Grey" outdoes the previous albums with better music, lyrics, vocals, and programming. Staind is quickly becmoning the smartest and most mature group in music right now.Free Music Review: Blowed me away.
Hit: 5 Stars
Well when I first got this cd, I didn't know what to expect. Staind continues to blow my mind with each and every cd they make. I agree that Break The Cycle tops them all, but this comes very close, letting Aaron Lewis let some steam off. The cd starts off with "Price To Pay", which was one of their hit singles off this album, not really a favorite in the beginning, but Staind has a way to make songs grow on you, and this grew on me quick. "How About You" is a great song, standing out, as Aaron showcases that he can still sing. "So Far Away", is probably the best song on the cd, in my opinion, considering I can relate to this song a lot, beautifully put together. "Yesterday" is a good song, not the best in the world, but its worth a listen. "Fray" I believe was put together very well, with great lyrics, not too bad. "Zoe Jane" made me cry the first time I heard it, it's such a beautiful song, dedicated to his daughter, do not skip it, at least listen once. "Fill Me Up" is a wonderful song, I love the lyrics, just simply great and has deep meaning to it, but then again, when doesnt a Staind song have meaning? "Layne", I loved it, considering I am a huge Alice in Chains fan and I loved that Aaron can pay respect where respect is due, that shows good character. "Falling Down", has very deep lyrics, kind of depressing in a way, but has a good overall meaning, simply put with "It's never the same on the way down." "Reality", even better lyrics, showing that there has to be a point to where you face the music and accept things for what they are, no matter what. "Tonight", it's an okay song, not the best on the cd, but its not bad enough to skip ALL the time. "Could It Be" is nicely put together, showing that Staind isn't all heavy like they used to be, showing they can still be mellow and send a message at the same time. "Blow Away" is the second best song in this cd, with some of the best lyrics I have heard from Staind. And I like the finish with "Intro" stating a simple message in a way that only Aaron Lewis could understand. I've always loved Staind and they continue to impress me cd after cd. I suggest you buy it, you can't lose unless you just dont like Staind and then again, if you dont like em, why read the review :D. I give it 5 stars. 2nd best cd they've made besides Break The Cycle. Go get em both.Free Music Review: 14 Shades of Amazing Songwriting
Hit: 5 Stars
I ordered this album from [internet retailer] last week, and this morning, it was delivered to my house. I've listened to it three times through since then. Staind is incredible. With this new album, they have made it clear that diversity is one of their strongest suits. Dysfunction was hard, feral rock music that could kick your [...] and make you think at the same time. Break The Cycle was a far cry from Dysfunction, in that the music was more organized and more heartfelt, it contained more emotion, with beautiful ballads such as "It's Been a While", and my personal favorite, "Epiphany." Now, with "14 Shades of Grey", Staind has taken yet another step up the evolutionary ladder, and proven themselves to be one of the most purely talented bands on the scene today.
"Grey" may be a bit too distinguished for some of Staind's fans. I'm sure there will be listeners who shoot this album down and accuse Staind of being sellouts. Maybe I'm biased, because I'm from Massachusetts, and I've spent a great deal of time in Springfield, so maybe I see the guys from Staind as "Hometown heroes" of sorts. Regardless, there is no denying that this album is easily Staind's most dignified, mature, melodic work to date.
I don't want to say that this album is BETTER than Break the Cycle or Dysfunction, because the albums aren't enough alike to be placed in comparison. It's really an issue of personal taste. Do I like "14 Shades of Grey" better than Dysfunction? Yes, I personally do. Better than "Break the Cycle"? I don't know. I don't think that's a decision I really have to make.
"14 Shades of Grey" has everything a fan could ever look for. Beautiful sounds, harmonious guitar, and meaningful content. Some songs will bring a smile to your face. Songs such as lead singer Aaron Lewis's tribute to his daughter, entitled "Zoe Jade". Other songs will draw emotions out of you that you may not have known were there. For example, track 8, entitled "Layne", in which Staind has taken the time to emulate the sound of Alice in Chains, and pay tribute to the late Layne Staley.
I love this album. Staind's true fans will love this album. Staind has done Massachusetts proud, and with the amount of talent they're showcasing now, I hope to see them stick around for a long, long time.