Album Rating: 4.0

Oh you're absolutely right about a lot of the shortcomings so don't get me wrong. Just out of curiosity, have you ever heard Leave a Whisper or Sound of Madness? My enjoyment of these guys stems there, so there's almost certainly some nostalgia at play in my rating. For me Shinedown has always been about the vocals and the melodies/choruses, and here they both shine. I also feel like the passion is back.

Album Rating: 1.5

I reviewed "Sound of Madness" a few months ago. I've heard both albums in their entirety numerous times. I enjoy those albums and I see where there may be some similarities. I know how nostalgia plays into ratings and stuff. After all, I gave "Eat the Elephant" a 4.5. Even with the vocals, which are great, choruses and melodies are a bit shaky. They mastered the art of huge choruses over their career. "Second Chance," "Save Me," and countless others. This album, though, I left scratching my head. After reading your review I went back and listened to the album again and compared my observations to yours. I just don't see the satisfaction in most choruses. The verses and music leading up to it was odd.

Album Rating: 4.0

But Eat the Elephant IS a 4.5 ;-)

(I have it the same rating)

Album Rating: 1.5

Maybe this album will grow on me, I don't know. So far my rating hasn't changed. I might go back and review it again or something. It's an album I'd recommend, but not one I'd listen to personally. It's not like "Threat..." where it was just a hopeless heap of trash. Eat the Elephant is a 4.5. It's not perfect, but positives outweigh the negs on that one. People are just salty because it's not heavy.

Album Rating: 3.5

Their high point for me is still Us and Them, and that's the only album of theirs that I'd say has consistently good lyrics. They've had their moments elsewhere (like What a Shame) but I'd agree with Sowing that the appeal is more about Brent's vocals/melodies than anything else.



The lyrics here are pretty silly but I think the album works because they focused on playing energetic hard rock and that's what they do best at this point. I get not liking it though. I actually expected to be an outlier here in liking this.

Album Rating: 1.5

Their earlier stuff works because they followed a trend but did it their way. This album follows a trend and wants to be cool. I like the perspective of looking back on past mistakes and doing cautionary tales. What I don't like is trying to be hip and cool by using "beast mode" in a serious tone. They need to stop being stereotypical and start making a point rather than being general all the time. It's like "Heaven Upside Down" where it wants to say something but is too afraid to say it.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I'm actually not a fan of their first two albums for some reason.

Album Rating: 3.0

I fuck with this

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

I still think Leave a Whisper was their peak. Sound of Madness was as close as they ever got to that peak again, and everything else has been very hit-or-miss from song to song.

Album Rating: 4.0

Hell yeah Ebola, way to be right

Album Rating: 3.0

i'm gonna check this out.....only know a few singles from these guys



radio rock but at its finest, right dudes?

Album Rating: 1.0

ghost negd for that rating

Album Rating: 1.5

Their first two albums were alright. I like the raw grunge feel from them. Sound of Madness was a bit polished for my taste, but otherwise alright. Us and Them was hit or miss.

Album Rating: 3.0

The one-two punch of Get Up and Special is actually really interesting and creative.

Album Rating: 3.5

I'm digging Brilliant the most right now. It's a nice change-up for them not to go out with a slow ballad for once.

Album Rating: 4.0

Agreed. Some Day wasn't totally a ballad though because it sort of evolved as it went on. Brilliant is more upbeat and uplifting which I love.

Album Rating: 1.5

Special was kind of the low point from my times listening. I listened to the album 3 times, and each time I listened, Special just killed the vibe. The lyrics are egregious compared to the rest of the album.

Album Rating: 4.0

I love the lyrics and it's my favorite track lol. Go figure.

Album Rating: 1.5

Human Radio has the best lyrics in my opinion. It's probably my favorite out of the tracks featured. Special seemed a little in-your-face in the way it was done. The emotion and story felt forced.

Album Rating: 4.0

As usual, exact opposite for me. Feels totally natural and I love the way he expresses/annunciates the verses. Remind me so much of "Call Me", which I still think is their most gorgeous closer.