 | Tracklist:
01. Open Your Eyes
02. Pressure
03. Fade
04. It's Been Awhile
05. Change
06. Can't Believe
07. Epiphany
08. Suffer
09. Safe Place
10. For You
11. Outside
12. Waste
13. Take It
| Ranking: #165 for 2001 | |
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On 14 Lists
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7 of 7 thought this review was well written
Surely by now, you've at least heard of Staind at one point or another. After the release of Break the Cycle, their single, "It's Been Awhile," flooded the airwaves of every medium imaginable, until you had to lock yourself in a dark hole to rid yourself of the melody stuck in your head. Something about that power ballad just screamed "listen to me!" This was the newest incarnation of the growing nu-metal genre at the time. It had the heavy guitars, and the dark, depressed lyrics spouted off by some borderline whiny vocals. Despite such poor accomplishments of other nu-metal establishments, Staind actually make a fairly good record here.
The instrumentation is surprisingly good, considering the circumstances. Performances from all the band members are top notch. Guitar riffs come from the direction of Mike Mushok and are distorted and heavy, in the true angry music way. The bass usually isn't audible enough to criticize it, but when it's there, does a good enough job. Drums are especially well done, while still fitting the music. This isn't to say that are predictably metal, as it's quite the opposite. They're a unique asset to the music and help it not corform to nu-metal mediocrity. Vocals are, once again, fairly well done, even though they occasionally dip into whiny territory. It's forgivable though, as they sound good much more often than not. The gentle Outside features a pretty decent vocal performance, as his cigarette scratched voice deeply croons along. Lyrics are more or less in angsty "I'm sad/I hate my life" fashion, especially in For You, which is complete with a chunky riff and parent-directed anger. Waste is a ballad-type song, about a fan who killed himself, whereas It's Been Awhile is a full on power-ballad, centered on some sort of significant other and how much Aaron misses them. It just wouldn't be a Staind album without the faced-paced angry songs, and this is no exception, Can't Believe being a fairly forgettable romp into loud shouting territory.
Overall, this isn't too bad of a record. Everything you'd expect out of something good is here. It's got good guitars, good drums, and fairly good vocals. The songs are catchy, and easy to listen to, as well. They've sort of taken the nu-metal sound and made it more commercial, while making it not suck at the same time. Kudos for that, and boo for 14 Shades of Grey. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Anywho, this is worth a listen for those who enjoy heavier rock. It should suit your needs. It's not mind-blowing, but good enough to suffice.
SCRUPLES
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Short, good, bite sized review. I like it :thumb:
as for staind......
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^^^Agreed.
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This was somewhere in the list of the first 10 cds i bought...
It was decent. It had a few good tracks, and a lot of filler...
I personally liked Waste. The verses were quite good.
Short, sweet review as well. Specially at 9:45 at night.
| | | Album Rating: 1
Sweet reivew. I was into these guys for a short time. I liked 14 Shades when it first came out, but recently looked back and saw how awful it was. I still think Dysfunction was their best - it had some very heavy, dark moments on it that this one couldn't touch.
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Can you believe that my friend thinks that Staind is emo. :lol:
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Stab him in the face.
I, too, say Dysfunction was the best thing they've done, and very likely to be the best thing they ever will do.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
A little bit more detail would have been cool, but good review still. You know, I was just about to write an album review for Break The Cycle. I logged on, and much to my dismay, I saw the cover on the homepage. My heart sank. Thanks a lot. I was also going to give it a 3.5. You read my mind.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I'm hardcore like that.
I think I did that to ShadowsFallen, too.
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Good review. This cd was cool when i got it, but then wore off of me and i didnt listen to it. Every once in a while ill pop it in but i can never listen to it all the way through. 3/5
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think I did that to ShadowsFallen, too.
and you took my aphex twin reviews :upset:
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Yeah well I guess you're getting me back for I Care Because You Do, Scruples. Telepathically, mind you.
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This is one awful band. The whole point of the power ballad is that it's supposed to be a break from the other heavy songs on a rock or metal album. But when all of your songs are ballads, then what's the point?
Apparently, the point is to saturate the airwaves with your crap. Stop playing Staind you stupid radio stations!
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A lot of these bands keep making softer and softer music like Staind and Cold. :upset:
| | | Album Rating: 1
[QUOTE=Scruples]I think I did that to ShadowsFallen, too. [/QUOTE]You did. With NIN. :upset: I was disappointed. Br3ad did it with Alaksa too, but I think this was worse. You just seem to be doing that to everyone lately. 
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This was one of the first CDs I ever loved, along with Korn's Issues and Limp Bizkit's Significant Other. Given its competition, it's not surprising, but it's one of the few that has kind of stuck with me. I don't listen to it too much anymore, mainly because I'm turned off by Staind's horrid new material, but it's not a bad album at all.
Waste, Pressure, and Fade are all really good songs.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
This was actually what made me stop listening to crappy Mtv rap, so I owe this album quite a lot. I heard For You on the radio, and eventually got the cd. Best thing I've ever done.
| | | Album Rating: 5
break the cycle kicks fucking balls
| | | Album Rating: 5
break the cycle is the shit
| | | Album Rating: 4
Epiphany is great.
Digging: Placebo - Sleeping With Ghosts | | | Album Rating: 4
the whole CD is great. stainds best IMO
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