Staind - The Illusion Of Progress
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Free Music Notes for The Illusion Of Progress
Free Music Review: Staind's Best?
Hit: 5 Stars
On the weeks prior to this CD's release , I found myself hoping , that this newest Staind CD would go back to the harder sounds of Dysfunction...I doubted it...but I still had hope.
After hearing about 5 songs the night before the release on the radio , my hopes for a harder Staind CD went out the window.
I even thought about NOT buying it....
The little preview sounded alot like Chapter V or 14 Shades of Grey (the latter , my least favorite Staind CD)..so I wasn't expecting much.
I do buy it , and I get home and pop it into my computer,and after a few listens....I love it!
...It is NOT hard and screamy....to say the least , but it is VERY good.
...Aaron Lewis said they were going into the studio TRYING to recreate the sound of their earlier days , but found themselves getting more of a bluesy , soulful sound....and after listening to the CD dozens of times , that is just fine.
Some of these reviews are just wrong.
People saying "Staind hasn't evolved at all" ... that's a lie.
...I highly doubt that back in '96 Aaron Lewis could have wrote such beautiful lyrics as heard in say "The Corner" , "Tangled Up In You" , "Lost Along The Way" and "Believe" ..and those songs are amazing.
For being (semi) late in their career , Staind is STILL rocking...albeit, on a softer scale.
Aaron Lewis is my favorite song writer , and this CD only deepens that fact.
"You're all I dream about , I can't live without , All I want is you."
This might be MY favorite Staind CD.
...but for everyone else , probably not better than Dysfunction or Break The Cycle , but way better than 14 Shades of Grey and Chapter V.
Best songs on this CD:
This Is It
Believe
Save Me
All I Want
Pardon Me
Lost Along The Way
Tangled Up In You
Rainy Day Parade
The Corner*
*My new favorite Staind song...yep...even better than Outside.
Staind HAS evolved...big time.
Do yourself (and the band) a favor , don't listen to the less than stellar reviews of some people , and pick this CD up.
After a few listens , you will love it.
Free Music Review: Go Back To Teenage-Angst
Hit: 5 Stars
First of all, I am SO tired of everyone ragging on Staind. Do you all expect the guys from Staind to write the same stuff for two decades or more? They have lives - Aaron went through so much turmoil, and he pulled through, came out with a wife & three kids. Not to mention, he is now a happy chappy & he's CLEARLY in love. What's not to celebrate about that? I grew up with Staind, while I was a rebel, depressed, angry kid. Now that I've grown up & also found love, I want to hear about the GOOD things in life, along with some of the bad stuff, too! They are DEFINITELY still Staind. They've still got the low-end going on, the perfectly put-together lyrics, melody & instrumentals, as well as the subtle tap-into-the-misery content Aaron always had. I must say, I was slightly disappointed when Staind said they'd bring out their heaviest disc ever, & then came out with "Believe", but a TRUE & ETERNALLY FAITHFUL Staind fan will support their music through all of their growing experiences. So when I bought the Limited Edition disc, I popped it in, listened beginning to end, & realized this is where they should be as a band. "Tangled Up In You", yes, is cheesy, but who wouldn't have a little Velveeta if they were so happy in love?
Look at the progress they've made from 1996. They're all growing, getting older, & writing what they feel. It's a masterpiece, not appreciated in its own time. You guys want to whine about their apparent "lack of ROCK", just remember that Staind will NEVER be all the other pansy-bummed "rock" bands you all think are better.
As good old Mr. Lewis would say (actually, I believe he SCREAMED it. YES, on CHAPTER V, their LAST album), "In time, you will regret it / Say goodbye to all the things you've gotten used to / Life will find a way to bring this karma to you". Learn to be a supportive fan, people.
I give "The Illusion of Progress" five stars, in hopes that you all buy this album. Staind has proven they can do ANYTHING within the genre of music, & still maintain the status quo of being incredible. Definitely check out "This Is It", "Rainy Day Parade", "Break Away", & "Lost Along The Way".
Keep up the LOVE, Staind fans!
Free Music Review: Progress may be an illusion, but they have consistency
Hit: 5 Stars
Well after several years since Chapter V, which had mixed reviews, they're back with another album which had the potential to make or break the band. And to be honest, I believe they've got it made... to at least continue making some good music.
After hearing they're first single "Believe", it was just as I expected from the band (very radio friendly). I compared it a lot to "Right Here" from Chapter V. One of those songs that you hear and you want to listen to over and over because it's just great music. But how's the rest of the album?
Well, after getting the CD and giving it a try, it was not what I expected. I remember not long after Chapter V came out and the band announed a break, that when they were finished, they'd come back and "rock harder than ever". To be honest, this is not even close to one of staind's hardest albums. But that doesn't mean that they're dead, or that this is a bad album
Really, I compare this album a lot to Cold's "A Different Kind of Pain" album. It was definately Cold's softest work, and definately a huge change for the band when comparison to their debut. But really, Scooter Ward's lyrics are extremely passionate and real all thru that album, and just because it's softer, it doesn't mean they suck. Quite the contrary, I think "A Different Kind of Pain" was some of Cold's best music, but that's just me.
But here for Staind just like Cold, they have a softer album with a more consistent sound, while throwing in a few surprises along the way. I just hope Staind doesn't drop off the face of the earth like Cold did.
So, is this my favorite album from Staind? Definately not. I still can't get enough of Break the Cycle. But Staind is here, and even though their hardest rocking days might be over, it doesn't mean they still can't make great music. This is a good album, and you'll enjoy it the more you listen to it.
Free Music Review: Rate this CD on its own merit instead of worrying about their previous work.
Hit: 5 Stars
This album caught me off guard at first. I did not know how to react to it, as I was hoping for somewhat of a mix between "Break the Cycle" and the last two albums. However, after listening to it a handful of times, I have found myself truly loving this album. It is difficult to realize that different is not always a bad thing. Aaron Lewis is still the best lead man out there in my book, and always will be. So everyone just calm down and rate this CD on its own merit. If you stop comparing it to their previous work and just take it for what it is, then the ratings would go up. This is not 1999 anymore, so let's move on and enjoy the new music Staind has made.
Also, if I am not mistaken, this is the last record they will make with their current label. I think Atlantic has had a hand in making Staind come up with so many ballads. For those of you who want the old Staind, I am sorry that this is not them, however their music is still very good. With a new label, there is no saying for sure what direction the might go next. They might have been waiting for their next label to go back to their old style. I do not think Atlantic and Staind see eye to eye as much anymore, so we will see in about two years when they might be with Roadrunner.
Free Music Review: Staind has done it again!
Hit: 5 Stars
For all those that gave this CD a bad review. Take your CD, bend over, and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. All bands change throughout the course of their careers, they grow and mature, just like all of us. I dare you to look at yourself 10 years ago and say that you are the same person.
Onto the album now, Staind has created another masterpiece. I must admit, it didn't just jump out at me, but after listening to it 3 or 4 times I can safely say that this is another well thought out and crafted album. I've been a fan of Staind since their first album, and if I'm feeling their heavier stuff I'll just pop in their first album. But if you are like me and get chills listening to their songs on Ch. V and 14 shades of grey, because I can relate to it, then this CD is a must for you. This CD is also a must for any true Staind fans, not the ones who just want them to mass produce their earlier harder sound which clearly isn't them anymore.