Disco de Staind: “The Illusion Of Progress [PA]”

For starters, if you purhcase this album, the fan version is a no brainer. 3 extra tracks (it's been a while, devil, and schizophrenic conversations, allacoustic live), and a 1 year membership to the staind fanclub (a 40 dollar value with a free t-shirt mailed to your door, and online exclusive content and pre-order deals). The schizophrenic conversations was previously a bonus track on their greatest hits, but the other two are new. If you still can get it, do it.

Now focusing on the music, it is still typical Staind, songs of relationships, faith in each other and human kind, but a little less focus on bad childhoods and rebellion. Tangled up in You, Believe, and Nothing Left to Say are all fine examples of classic staind tunes. Most of the songs are very melodic and could be those "stuck in your head" songs of the morning. It does take about 2 listens to start to appreciate the nuances of this album, but worth a purchase.

As another reviewer mentioned, this album is not as heavy as previous Staind albums, with more of an acoustic rougher mix than previous albums. If you want loud angry teen angst of nu-metal, get tormented or dysfunction. this is the next progressive step from Chapter V.

They recorded this album in Aaron Lewis's barn (with all the professional essentials) which saved alot of time and money since it costs quite a bit to record at a studio, which gave the album a real good sound and feel the acoustics in that building did amazing things for this CD... There are alot of nice mellow meaningful songs on this album that really grab you and pull you in especially "The Corner". If you are a Staind fan or just want something that has MORE feeling buy this album, it is worth it.

I love Aaron Lewis's music and this is a great addition to my collection

The album isn't really all THAT bad but it just all sounds so generic and bland. The only way I can really describe it is "lame." I'm so disappointed because I love Staind (from Dysfunction to Chapter V). The one song that seemed promising was Rainy Day Parade but it's just goofy sounding when he actually sings that during the chorus (Rainy Day Parade???..c'mon now). I guess you need to really REALLY love Staind to truly enjoy this or else you'll be like me and just go "..eh.."