Staind Album: “14 Shades of Grey”

Personally I think this album is a major success and barely surpasses break the cycle. So what if it's not as hard, or the tunes aren't as catchy as 2 certain main btc singles which is probably all you've heard... That's not what matters in this case. Staind have done the hardcore thing. It's well known that as bands evolve they tend to explore the more melodic and softer side of music, and this is a prime example. It's not that they get worse, they simply change. If you can't hack that, or can't keep up with it, well you've only failed yourself in that you can't learn to like something that others have no problem with. As a major Staind fan, I feel for what you're missing out on.

Moving along, I think this album is an awsome step in Aaron's progress as an emotional singer... we all knew he sung from the heart, what torment started, and what btc continued in an even better form, yet this album still manages to build up the emotional connection between the lyricist and the listener. The lyrics are clearer and deeper, not as cryptic or as murky (can't believe, suffer) and I truly think they're easier to reach for us fans.

And for that person who said that this album is soft ... well, you liked btc, didn't you? I bet you loved epiphany and outside, hell, even it's been a while was based on soft undertone melodies. I think it's wrong to dismiss the new soft songs so quickly simply because they expanded on a winnning formula... but oh well, those who don't like it won't like it, there will always be people like that.

Also it's obvious that the band worked incredibly hard on this release, they had so much to live up to... As a true fan of staind I respect their hard work and will stand by them, even when they do release a bad album.

Staind has yet to let me down. This time they took a much softer approach to their music. Many people say it is too soft, but i think it is almost as good as Break the Cycle, but not quite. Here are some rankings for each of their songs.

1. Price to Play(5/5)- I heard this song on the radio and knew I had to pick up this CD

2. How About You(4/5)- This is a slower song that has a good beat and a good rythym so you can really get into this song

3.So Far Away(4/5)- This song was released and I was happy. It is a very good song.

4.Yesterday(4.5/5)- First song with cussing, but that makes it good.

5. Fray(4/5)- A all around good song

6. Sweet Zoe Jane(5/5)- First true slow song on the CD. It is a very good song that can be put on repeat and never get old

7. Fill Me UP(4/5)- a good song with good opening music.

8. Layne(3/5)- One of my least favorites on the CD

This is the best part of the CD. #9-14

9. Falling Down(5/5)- MY FAVORITE SONG ON THE CD...PERIOD

10. Reality(5/5)- This song is down right kick-@$$. The chourus is hard to imagine the lung capacity of Aaron Lewis. Try to sing it like he does.

11. Tonight(5/5)- Great song

12. Could It Be(5/5)- Great song about being youself. Sounds sappy but once you hear it you willchange your mind.

13. Blow Away(4/5)-Good song

14. Intro(5/5)- In this song Aaron thanks his family for putting up with him. He also critisizes people for underestimated his band. Does this title hint the next CD?

How many bands have we seen that go on repeating the same stuff again and again.if a bands has a successful album, you are sure to find the same formula again in their next album.but STAIND are not that kind of a band.

The album is nothing like "Break the cycle".for a start it is much softer.but this is not a bad point.the album is really good.it showcases frontman aaron lewis's vocal ability and also lyrical ability.the guitar parts are very good(this is a distict ability exclusive to staind.even in a slow song like "zoe jane",they have a heavy riff for the chorus).the drumming is also good except in the track "reality"(it feels like the drummer forgot what he has to play).

Truly speeking this album is great.but if your expecting it to be as good as "break the cycle" then i can't make any promises."price to play","so far away","zoe jane","fill me up" and "falling down" are the best tracks in the album.

Even if the album is not as heavy as its predecessor,it's difference from it is remarkable and the courage of the band to go out of the way and make a totally different album is worth appreciating.

Right after created a great cd like "Break the Cycle" they go and make another awesome cd called "14 Shades of Grey." I thought this cd kicked a**. The lyrics and beat are incredible. Some of the songs I would reccomend are PRICE TO PLAY, HOW ABOUT YOU, and SO FAR AWAY. If you don't believe me, I believe you can listen to some of the tracks on the main page for 14 shades of grey. Check out some of the tracks I listed and I'M SURE YOU"LL LOVE STAIND'S MUSIC!!!!

As many times as I've attempted to fall in love with this album, there are still only about 5 songs that I find listenable. Most of this disc just feels uninspired. It lacks the catchiness we've all come to expect. Those 5 songs still make it worth owning though. And that's why I gave it a 3 instead of a 2. When Staind gets it right, they really get it right. And the good tracks here are no exception. I know (from reading reviews here) that a lot of people don't share my opinion where this album is concerned. But in all honesty I do not see what others see in it that makes it a 4 or a 5 star release. Maybe you will. But I have yet to. And it's not for lack of trying.