Customer Reviews

Come What(ever) May

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The best part about Slipknot taking another hiatus is that we can finally expect a new Stone Sour album. Stone Sour, a side project of `Knot singer Corey Taylor and guitarist Jim Root, made a great debut in 2002, but the band was put on hold due to the success of Slipknot's 2004 album, "Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses)." Now they've returned, four years later, with their long awaited, much anticipated sophomore effort, "Come What(ever) May." They have a lot to prove with this album, since many thought their first disc was a one-trick pony which mooched off of Slipknot's success.

This disc has many aggressive, heavy parts, but they're blended with the same ingredient that made the debut a success: good vocals. On every one of these songs, Corey actually sings cleanly, and he delivers a truly heartfelt--at times amazing (see "Through Glass")--vocal performance.

Overall, however, this album is not a very big step forward. The musicianship is improved because the guitarists (Josh Rand and the aforementioned Jim Root) adopt a few solos (i.e. "Your God" has a cool, melodic solo). But the songwriting is largely the same, and one or two of these songs will even make you think it's a leftover from the 2002 recording sessions. That's OK, though, because Stone Sour didn't really have much room to improve, anyways. And don't be mistaken--"Come What(ever) May" is almost every bit as good as the debut, and it even eclipses that album in a couple of places, so it's not a misstep or a sophomore slump by any means.

Songs like "30/30-150" and "Reborn" are very fast, heavy, and catchy with churning, almost thrashy riffs and infectious, melodic choruses. "Hell & Consequences" and "1st Person" are also among the record's heaviest songs. The title track features increasingly violent vocals and angry, political lyrics. "Sillyworld" is partially heavy, but most of it very melodic, with light, eloquent guitar strums and great vocals which almost border on sounding sweet. "Socio" and "Cardiff" are both dreary, gentle, mid-tempo numbers which bring the mood down a little, but the album's pinnacle is the excellent closer, "Zzyzx Rd." It's a very depressing ballad, but it's not a "Bother" rip-off, because it also includes a piano and almost mindblowing singing.

"Come What(ever) May" is another batch of good, melody streaked, hook infected, hard rockin' tunes. Quite frankly, it's very refreshing to hear an album like this nowadays. It's not metalcore, it's not nu-metal--it's nothing but good, melodic hard rock. The bottom line? If you liked Stone Sour before, you'll find it almost impossible to dislike this album.

This cd took me by surprise but it has grown on me. Stone Sour has been very unique since day one, so I didn't know what to expect with this cd. It is not as heavy as their original debut. There are no songs that match the intensity of the songs "Get Inside" or "Choose" from their self-titled release. But this is not a bad thing...only for people who were looking for it.

"Through Glass" is obviously the song that will attract the most listeners, so if this is the case there may be a great deal of new listeners expecting to hear a cd full of softer acoustic sounding songs. Wrong. It is difficult to put a label on what exact genre this is, but none of the songs sound like "Through Glass", for sure. Based on the songs "30/30-150", "Hell and Consequences", "Reborn" and "1st person", one would call this metal. "Come what(ever) may" and "Made of Scars" have a bit of an edge, but would probably be considered alternative rock songs. "Your God","Socio", and "Cardiff" all sound like mainstream rock songs. "Zzyzx Road" and "Sillyworld" are both more mellowed out slow songs. I am not going to get too far into the meanings of these songs, but I just want to make the point that this cd is all over the place with its music. If you are looking for a cd that only focuses on one genre, you will not find it.

It is also hard to hear much of a slipknot influence in the music( although some of the riffs sound like those of vol 3:subliminal verses). Something that really changed in Stone Sour is Corey's screaming. If and when he does, it is high pitched and much different sounding than those on the self titled album. One song where it is very apparent is during the chorus of Reborn. I have started to like it gradually, but it sounded very strange at first listen; unlike anything I've ever heard from Corey. I can also say I never envisioned Corey singing a song with a piano background (as in "Zzyzx Road"). But these are all signs that he and the band have matured, and they have indeed expanded their horizons.

If you are looking for one of those albums where almost every song sounds the same, do not buy this album. If you are open to a whole new style, this is a great cd to check out.

Corey Taylor is best known as the roaring, Leatherfaced ringmaster of the nine-man heavy metal circus that is Slipknot. But like a superhero with a secret identity, he takes off the mask on occasion and becomes the (comparatively) mild-mannered lead singer of Stone Sour, a more conventional rock quintet whose sound is a little bit closer to Nickelback than Napalm Death. Given the dark and angry musical mayhem his other band is known for, Taylor shows a surprisingly skilled touch with melody in Stone Sour. The emphasis for the band's second CD is straight-no-chaser hard rock, as demonstrated by tracks such as "30/30-150," "Reborn," "Hell & Consequences" and the politically charged title track. But Taylor adds soaring, catchy choruses to the crunching riffs and grinding rhythms deftly laid down by his bandmates: guitarists Jim Root (also of Slipknot) and Josh Rand, drummer Roy Mayorga, and bassist Shawn Economaki. Stone Sour also proves that they can effectively stretch beyond their musical comfort zone on the trippy, Beatles-flavored "sillyworld" and the radio-friendly acoustic rock of "Through Glass." The CD's closing track, "Zzyzx Road," is perhaps the most surprising song here. Taylor's surprisingly soulful vocals, sung over a melancholy, piano-laced power ballad and a great guitar solo by Rand, leave an impression long after the song ends. There is nothing really groundbreaking or innovative about Stone Sour's music, but what they do, they do extremely well. If ever the `Knot comes unraveled and Taylor and Root retire their ghoulish masks for good, Stone Sour should continue to be a viable musical outlet.

Stone Sour is more then just a 'side-project' of the two Slipknot members Corey and James. It's a full project, a real band. Stone Sour's first release was a self-titled album and made me a fan from the start. The sound was a bit raw but the lyrics were fantastic and so was the diversity of the songs on the album, from Omega to Bother and from Inhale to Get Inside.

Well, they did it again! Come What(ever) May is another masterpiece. This time, they made a very balanced album, in my opinion even better then their first release. Energetic songs like 'Reborn' and '30-30/150' proof that Stone Sour has still got the metal spirit in them, and with songs like Zzyx Rd. they show that they're even better in writing and recording sessitve songs then they were before. Stone Sour just does their own thing, never heard of a band that goes their own way so strongly like them. Corey's vocals are the best on this album, his famous 'growls' are a bit more high pitched and that sounds really good. His singing on 'slower songs' like 'Through Glass' is very clean, another reason that Stone Sour is my nr.1 band. Not only does Corey sing clean on those songs, also during the heavier songs like 'Cardiff' and 'Socio' his singing is amazing, even more when you imagine that the second later, he is screaming again.

The guitar work is awesome, a few more solo's then before, but the riffs are so much improved! They give you this heavy and energetic feeling that Stone Sour is famous for (in my head at least). James and Josh do a really good job here, again this shows how devoted and talented the bandmembers are.

The drumming is partly by Godsmack's drummer Roy, the original Stone Sour drummer had to 'step out the band' beacause of personnal reasons. I thought that the original drummer Joel Ekman, did the drumming on all the songs except 30/30-150, but I should check that to be sure. I'm not going to describe what I think about all the songs, it would be too much work. All I can say is that this album is awesome, it deserves it's own temple.

Vocals: 10/10

Guitar: 10/10

Bass: 10/10

Drumming 10/10

I personally did not get into Stone Sour until I heard their song "Bother" then I heard the rest of that CD and it was mostly thrash metal, which I don't like as much. I thought I'd give them another shot with "Come What(ever) May" and I was not blown away with their new stuff! Without losing the hard rock edge to their music, they started off with a song I loved "Through Glass". And now after hearing the other tunes I suggest "Sillyworld" as their next hit. It just plain ROCKS! And to top the album off they ended with a very soulful ballad "Zryxz Rd." It blew me away the first time I heard it.

Over all I give this CD a 10. Stone Sour has matured a lot with this album and have really brought out their artistic talents with it. I strongly recomend this to anyone!!

For me this is a significant step forward from the last record as it generally gives a different sound to a lot of the other hard rock (if that's the right term as it's not metal but harder than radio stuff, ignoring the couple of slower tracks on the album) getting around at the moment.

Sounding nothing like Slipknot this is a really good rocking album, the standout for me is the title track which is a terrific rocking track. A lot of other good stuff on it also - the first 4 tracks and tracks 8-10 would be my favorite but it's a nicely balanced album.

Great playing and I love the way Corey manages to maintain his vocal strength and integrity despite taking a much cleaner vocal stance than Slipknot - shows his versatility and it's very impressive without sounding soft or un-corey-like, if that makes any sense.

A good record, far closer to something like Dark New Day for example than Slipknot - very good thing.

I bought this cd just because i thought i'd give it a shot. Most side projects like this are pretty average, but Stone Sour stands out on this album. Every track is unique and incredible in its own way. To be honest, I still do not have the first album. However, im about to run out and get it. I've heard it's not quite as good as 'Come What(ever) May' but I have to go buy it anyway.

There's no question about it, this CD is awesome. But Stone SOur isnt just a side project of a few members from slipknot. Vocalist Corey Taylor and guitarist Jim Root were in Stone Sour in 1992 through 1997, when it broke apart. Slipknot was formed afterwards.

But anyways, this song has everything one could expect from the members. its got the heavy metal tracks, along with a handful of more melodic, softer songs, that are a little easier listening.

There's no point in writing a score out of ten for each song, because each song would get a perfect score. They're really that good. If you're interested in any harder rock or metal, give this album a chance, there's no way you'll be dissapointed. The members really did a great job.

Well that's my review. 5 stars definatly.

Ah, changes are a good thing, isn't it? Originally, we had gotten word that Stone Sour, the "side project" wouldn't quite make any other album, now that Slipknot is driving full force. But they have come out with a Hard Rock album of the year, Slipknot may be no more, according to past news, leader Corey Taylor is sporting a blonde do, and the music, which used to sound like an Alice in Chains and Nirvana influence. Anything from the 80's quite, sounds a whole lot fiercer, thanks to the fire-off sound of "Reborn", which amazingly did not open the CD, and a much mellower, as well as touching, numbers. Stone Sour did not change but minorly since the first debut album, and I'll say tha these changes do not surpass the first album, but still makes a name of one of Roadrunner's best releases.

Instead, what opens the road is a hidden track (plea, rather) with easy, melodic, and saddening piano and Corey's heart and healthy "I'm ready to be with my family/I'm ready to die in obscurity". Already, you found one of the best songs on the album (a song that makes "Bother" sound bland, I might add), before getting what most people wanted: a hard song, for example, the signature chugging guitars in "30/30-150".and Corey's signature scream from a gruff and bark to a full scream. The title track isn't anything different, and that's a compliment on the music. The shining melody on the chorus, as well as Corey Taylor's sudden utterance of a piece of advice: "You want to be the man/You gotta be a man".

"sillyworld" cut in with more of a mellow song that bursts with light and dust. And even if this song has more of a cynical tone to it, as it always will, Corey urges you to "take these lyrics seriously/and sing your life away". "Made of Scars" is basically a song filled with pain, where Corey lists off where he gets the scars he speaks of. "Reborn" starts off basic, before Corey steps up firing off into the microphone, making this a signature Slipknot fist-pumper than anything from Stone Sour, with a few "motherf**kers" heading to your fragile noggin. (I can tell the difference in sound very well.)

"Your God" doesn't take any shots from religion, but assures you he is no heavenly apostle himself. The second single from the album "Through Glass" takes a restraint shot at Hollywood, while singing "The stars, the stars/They shine for you/And it's the stars, the stars/They lie to you". To see how he was woven that up, you have to heed his word and be careful of the glossy production on TV. Never has a point out of Corey's mouth seems so easy to go through the minds of youth listening closely to his lyrics and music. "Socio" brings out the funk-rock sound that blew you to the wall with "Cold Reader", while "1st Person" further sounds like the beast made from Slipknot and Bloc Party at their most competitive in sound. "Cardiff" distorts Corey's voice to make the music sound drug-contained in a song, where during a conversation, either him or a clean junkie narrative finally shouts "I won't give this life away again", as if the song wants to be more of a kick to heroin and/or a kick of what causes pain, as well as an ending. As for "Zzyzx Road"...un, let me tell you something, of all the lists I have seen, they all make me think that the soft beginning song is actually "30/30-150". Instead, that song is better off known as "Zzyzx Road" for being one of the best potential endings to grab at your heartstrings.

This album has not shown but a few minor changes, and that's a little good. The first album shows the bands ability to pluck heartstrings and be militaristic without firing everything to the absolute source. This seems to be the bands most clear in its message to get people listening and inspired never to die in vain. It is for that reason alone, I suppose, that their music is a little clearer in command than Slipknot. While Slipknot's music only teaches the youth to break stuff and kill, it's only Stone Sour's occasionally defiant and militaristic moods, as well as heartfelt and honest songs that even get the listener's anywhere.

Rating: 8/10

I was very glad to hear that Cory was going do another Stone Sour CD. I was hoping we would get another "Bother" song and we did. "Through Glass" is the exact same track number (8) as "Bother" and just like "Bother" is acoustic based. There isn't one weak track on this CD.

The three singles from this cd are "Through Glass", "30/30-150" and "Reborn".

The three lightest songs on here are "Through Glass", "Sillyworld" and "ZZyyzx Rd". All three are acoustic based but pick up later in the song.

My personal favorite tracks are "Through Glass" "Made of Scars" which is really done well on how he tells where scars on his body came from. The last track "ZZyyzx Rd" is also a very powerful track and a great way to close out the CD. While "30/30-150" was an excellent opener which is one of the heaviest songs on the CD.