Customer Reviews

Stage

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Stage is a band who shares similarities with Live, Our Lady Peace, Goo Goo Dolls, but most of all, I'd say they're a good blend of Pearl Jam meets Lifehouse. I'd never heard of them until August of '03 when I went to an Eve 6 concert (whom I'm only a semi-fan of). Anyway, Stage was the second of three bands, and about halfway into their set, I found myself enjoying it more than any other opening band I'd seen in a while. It was a small club, so I went to a little booth where Greg (the guitarist) was selling copies of the album. I bought a copy, and since then I've hardly stopped listening to it. Stage has a passion in their song-writing and an energy in their live set that can only be compared to that of the early 90's Seattle scene.

The album begins with a bittersweet tune called The World Has Come Between Us, which is a good example of the singer's talent (Ryan Star). I Will Be Something is the closest thing the band has to a hit, and once you familiarize yourself with this tune, it's impossible not to get pumped up by it. Songs like I Don't Know, Flag, and I Know Where You Are are beautifully written ballads that are very moving. On songs like Perfect the band sounds like a less commercial version of Tonic or Third Eye Blind. Country Bleeding is an energetic anthem from beginning to end with driving guitars and powerful vocals. When I saw the band perform Live Happy Live With Anorexia they managed to capture the attention of the whole club even though nobody knew who they were. There's a lot of passion in this song, but then the whole album is full of passion. For me, the highlight of this whole collection is an 11-minute song called The Scientist's Canvas, it's incredibly epic and very moving. There's a lot of talent and passion in this band, and I can't recommend this album enough!

Instead of doing busy work, I'm just busy looking like I'm working. The fruits of my labor? Hopefully it's having at least one person BUY this album.

Steal it and listen to if you need proof (I did), but please have the decency to cough up the $12 and buy the CD. Some things are just worth paying for, and this is one of them.

And here's my (brief) story of discovery:

I'm on vacation in Kuala Lumpur, watching a little TV before beginning my night of debauchery, and on comes Rockstar:Supernova. Stupid show, as is all reality TV, but with an interesting premise. Experienced performers trying out for a band put together by a bunch of has-beens, and I got lucky with episode that I caught.

Some guy is going to cover 'Losing my Religion' (this is how the contestants compete), playing only a baby grand piano. And he didn't just cover it, he completely remastered it. I was amazed. Then awed. Then mad when I realized he was trying out for a band this crappy. Fortunately, he was cut, Supernova has since tanked, and the guy released a solo album. Which was pretty good, I might add. Of course, I didn't know any of this until after I checked you tube to find the guy's name, Ryan Star, so that I could find the guy's album.

However, after doing an entire two minutes of googling, I also found that he'd been with a previous band, and they'd released and album. After illegally downloading it, I decided that it was good enough to buy, and I downloaded it legally from itunes. And it gets better every time I listen to it.

The Bottom Line: Just when you think you've turned in to your parents and won't listen to any new music, along comes something like this. Discover Ryan Star. SpottieOttieDopolicious.

Stage changed my life with their passion, and while I am saddened to see they are no longer together, their former lead singer, Ryan Star, has released his own cd. Under the recording name R.Star; to not be confused with that American Idol whiny reject. You can find his cd on rstar.net and you can hear 4 songs out of the 20 songs on his cd on [...].

Ryan is talented and he's making momentum out there. ABC News called him the new Neil Diamond. I only wish the other 3 guys as much luck and success.

I had never heard of these guys, but took a chance and bought the cd based on what I had read. What a great surprise! It took me awhile to adjust to the vocal style, but I am really impressed with these guys. "Live Happy,..." is one of the most incredible songs I have ever heard - reminds me a lot of Live's "Lightning Crashes" off Throwing Copper, and Shinedown's "Burning Bright". A great,great cd, Impressive new R & R. Keep it up!

This album rocks. I have listened to stage for many years and this is by far their best album. They have had several other cds and this is their first major label release. Check out the single "I Will Be Something." I can't get the chourus out of my head.

I saw these guys in concert last month, and they blew me away!! I've been waiting very anxiously for this release and i am highly impressed!! It's a great album from start to finish, no doubt about that. Excellent album, I recommend it to anyone who appreciates good music!

seriously, this is one of the craziest and most haunting cd's that i've ever heard. It's like nothing that is out there right now and i'm so upset that they broke up. I have been to quite a few concerts in my life but when i saw Stage at this crappy little bar on long island called the swing set I was amazed. I have never gotten the chills and felt so connected to a person on stage before. this is one of those cd's that you can listen to when you're so upset at like 4 in the morning and you can't sleep and just be comforted because it assures you that everyone feels like that sometimes. I love it.

By far my favorite tracks are:

I don't know

I will be something

The world has come between us

But this album is amazing...I first heard a demo that I bought for .50 at a yard sale and was blown away with "the world has come between us" I listen to that song so much and it took me awhile to find this CD and when I did, I listened to it a lot and "I Don't Know" became an instant favorite. If you look hard enough there is a place where you can purchase songs that they did not officially release like:

Everything I Wanted

Perfect Time

Sink or Swim, and

O

When I found that site I imediately bought the songs and again amazing material. Definetely go hunting for them, it is just a pitty that they broke up, but Ryan is still continuing to make music and overall it is not bad, but it is no Stage.

I love this recording! It's the complete package of music, vocals, lyrics, craftsmanship, professionalism, intelligence, etc. I've listened to it quite frequently since my purchase and I am still choosing it after the initial novelty has faded. I read some of the other reviews and some of my favorite tracks are not mentioned - in my mind that illustrates how well put together this recording is - someone loves each song. Out of 11 tracks, I adore 8, react, move, and try to sing along -- the other 2 are simply super. Solid A.

I saw this group opening for Eve 6 in Toledo, OH. I'm not a rock music fan so was not wanting to go to the show at all. After seeing Stage perform, I fell in love. I bought the cd at the show, got autographs and pics. Ryan rocked. He's a definate front man. I am here buying another cd, since I have scratched mine up too much. I need a new one.

Definately buy this cd. They have broken up now, and many are saddened. The world is losing alot by such a talented band breaking up. With all the boring stuff out there now, I don't understand why they didn't break through.

And the review about "Live Happy..." very true, the passion and emotion in that song is unbelievable...

Ryan's voice is so passionate and amazing.

I'm saddened with the loss.