The new self-titled album by hard-rock artists ‘Staind’ takes a step back in returning to the angrier, aggressive basics that loyal fans would have sadly missed as the band transformed into a rock-pop glamour laced with ballads such as 2001 single ‘Its Been A While’. The American band seems to be returning back to the fundamentals that made them so popular back in 1995, and bring themselves back to the studio ready for the release of their seventh studio album – with a conspicuous edginess to all ten of their brand new tracks suggesting that these guys definitely have something to prove to the unsuspecting public.
With front man Aaron Lewis’ unrealistic ability to delivery such raw and emotional vocal performances about love and cynicism, his reliance on stripped-down acoustic sets has sparked up much criticism, accusing the vocalist of pandering to his audience as well as creating awkward and forced macho trash talk on single ‘Wannabe’, though apart from a few slight criticisms Lewis manages to get down to business and do what he does best, letting the tracks speak for themselves.
During the album, Lewis shows signs that his verbal battery has reached a selfishly Korn-esque delegation in his maturate, where ‘Break The Cycle’ seemed to branch out into subjects such as child abuse and worldwide indifference’s, showing that Staind seems to languish on personal vendettas against unnamed forced. Nevertheless, Staind hasn’t sounded this harsh and lively since their earlier work. ‘Its Been A While’ uses a much more softer tone, where grief and desolation are powerfully resounding, much like the romantic desperation of ‘The Bottom’ where listeners are greeted with a far too dark and echoed track to be called a ballad. Track ‘Throw It All Away’ also seems to categorise onto the same layer of apprehensive uncertainty which undercuts the glossy karaoke nature of the track. There is no dramatic left turn and no sense of real creativity through few of their songs on this album, so if you are expecting that, you’ll be disappointed. Though if fans want more of the band’s signature sound, then they’ll will be beyond satisfied, because that’s exactly what the band gives out.
Track ‘Take a Breath’ is fierce enough to get the mosh pit going, thanks to its guitar screechand menacing drum hits. The band has crafted a vibe on this song that’ll have fans wondering when the bottom will drop out. And it does, rattling you as you listen to it.
Staind definitely won’t be confused with the famous rockers Slayer anytime soon, but their harder, meaner guitar riffs feel very invigorating. Opening with ‘Eyes Wide Open’ the album shows that they are here to stay, throwing off their dusty cobwebs and allowing Aaron Lewis to snarl and bite throughout his expressive, lyrical objectives.
Unfortunately, if there’s just one thing that’s holding Staind back from constantly spitting out bigger and better hits, it’s that their material tends not to be completely original. Even some of their best tracks fall into a more predictable radio-rock category, and in track ‘Paper Wings’ their harder metal-like sound seems slightly out of their depth proving that the boys feel they are on much firmer ground when they stay in their comfort zone but turn up the volume.
Even though this album has a much dirtier sound, the band have not lost their ability to craft memorable grunge-esque songs that also sound good loud. They’ve managed to keep the balance between aggro and melodic.
Many fans who have fallen in love with the band’s most popular ballads may not be expecting their new edgy sound, though many of their diehard enthusiasts may be more than welcome to have their rock heroes back.
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With front man Aaron Lewis’ unrealistic ability to delivery such raw and emotional vocal performances about love and cynicism, his reliance on stripped-down acoustic sets has sparked up much criticism, accusing the vocalist of pandering to his audience as well as creating awkward and forced macho trash talk on single ‘Wannabe’, though apart from a few slight criticisms Lewis manages to get down to business and do what he does best, letting the tracks speak for themselves.
