Album Rating: 5.0

I'm new to this site but I have to write about this new CD. True the production quality isn't a nice, shiny, polished product but I think it sounds pretty damn good. It's raw, much like a live set....which btw, Flaw is an amazing live band. I hate when I see a band live for the first time only to find out they sound nothing like their cd. Anyway, whoever reviewed this did a nice job; very insightful. However I have to disagree with his overall take on it. And that's what keeps life interesting: differing opinions. If everyone thought the same it would be a pretty boring world. So, I gave this album 5 stars and the more I listen to it, the more I hear and the more I like. The guitars are insane! And I know it's not just the addition of the new guitarist Andy but Lance and Andy together. It reminds me of some of the stuff off 'Endangered Species' which is another underrated album. The band has moved away from the chunka chunka days of old, and into a more progressive era. Reminds me of Tool's progression. I hear a lot of Alice in Chains influence on this new album too, which is another band I love. All in all, for those who think this album is their worst, that's fine and that's your opinion but my opinion is that it's their best work to date.

Album Rating: 3.5

Since the album is called "Homegrown Studio Sessions" I bet this production quality is normal. I really like the rawness in those new songs. With that "nu metal" sound, Flaw is definitely back. I am glad that the Five.Bolt.Main era with that "classic" hard rock mastering is over. To those who cannot stand music without 1,000 studio filters and mixing tips forget about it. For the others that like the emotions of a great musicianship experience, go & listen to that album.

Album Rating: 2.0

This isn't a 5 at all. What could of been promising has come off as merely uninspiring and bland. There is no hint of a track like Medicate or Best I Am. Disapointment, I really dig his voice.

Now that I think about it, I loved Through These Eyes and Endangered Species... but I really hated their older independent releases (Paper CD, American Arrogance, etc). Maybe their next label release, if that day comes, will be another gem. History repeats itself, right?

*sigh*