14 Shades of Grey (with Limited Edition Bonus DVD) [ENHANCED] [EXPLICIT LYRICS] [LIMITED EDITION]

Staind

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2003)
• Original Release Date: May 20, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Explicit Lyrics, Limited Edition
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• Copy Protected
• ASIN: B00008J2JT
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (555 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,471 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Beatles had the White Album, Metallica, a black album, and now Staind has its gray album. While lumped in with the often indistinguishable nu metal crowd, Staind stands out, thanks in part to memorable ballads, such as the pained and beautiful "It's Been A While" and "Epiphany" from the quartet's 2001 breakthrough Break the Cycle. Their latest represents a natural progression; realizing the commercial potential of the poignant but heavy rock ballad, they've penned a slew of them. The light and cheery "How About You" is radio-ready, while the layered, string-backed "So Far Away," and honest and grateful musing on success, is another get-out-the lighters showcase for singer Aaron Lewis. Lewis's beautiful ode for his baby, "Zoe Jane," a tribute to late Alice in Chains vocalist Layne Staley ("Layne," which intentionally and effectively cops Alice's signature sound), and the grandiose thank-you note "Intro" are more strong, overtly introspective entries in Lewis' sometimes mushy, sometimes touching CD diary. --Katherine Turman

Product Description
Contains a limited edition DVD titled Homegrown. It is a forty minute home movie documentary of the band’s history since 1996, featuring exclusive concert video plus behind the scenes footage of the band recording their two previous albums, making videos, hanging out backstage, and much more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is excellent!!, December 6, 2003

By	railer (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

Oh yeah, this is it. Staind's fourth cd just blew me away! Every single song on this album is excellent, i didn't skip a single one. It may be a different listen to for people who started out with the heavier "Dysfunction" or "Tormented", they sound more mellow and happier on this album. Here are the track descriptions:

1. Price To Play - First single off this album, the song that made me get this record, its a heavier song compared to the others, could have a better bridge. 9/10

2. How About You - In my opinion the BEST song off this cd, the chorus was the best thing i've ever heard, pity this wasn't a single, it can be put on repeat and not get boring. 11/10

3. So Far Away - Second single off the album, it's a slow and melodic song with a bridge that really moved me: "I'm so afraid of waking, please don't shake me". Definite must listen to. 10/10

4. Yesterday - Nice drum intro, with some special effects in the verses, and a really heavy but melodic chorus. Could have been the single too. 10/10

5. Fray - The chorus was way too overplayed for my liking, but it features a long interesting intro with drums and soft guitar playing that lets you smoothly into the song. 8/10

6. Zoe Jane - Tied for the best song in this album, easily the slowest and most moving song on the album, it's a song about the Aaron Lewis's(Vocals) baby girl, this song is soo good, it never gets boring. It can make you cry if you read the lyrics and you listen to the song in depth. 11/10

7. Fill Me Up - Very impressive harmonious singing in the chorus, sounds a bit like "Fray" but much faster. Also one of the best on the album. 10/10

8. Layne - Didn't really like this one, it's a tribute to Layne Staley, sounds really country style and vocals are just plain random singing which doesn't really suit me. 7/10

9. Falling Down - One of the heavier songs on the cd, yet melodic, sounds similar to the other songs but still has it's own unique parts. It gets boring after a while. 9/10

10. Reality - A slower song, very good guitar intro that sets the mood for the song, it's kind of sad(listen to the chorus). Sounds very similar to some of the other songs. 9/10

11. Tonight - A very nice intro, more intersting to listen to, the vocals displays how good he sings in the chorus, try singing it like him. Really moves you after a while. 10/10

12. Could It Be - Also one of the best on the cd, I like the really melodic chorus and it's also moving too, the bridge is very nice with the vocals and bassist singing a harmony. This one does not get boring. 10/10

13. Blow Away - One of the slower ones on the cd, a sadder song but not angst. Takes a while to warm up, I didn't find it to my liking until after a few listens. 8/10

14. Intro - Why would they put an Intro at the end of the record, that's just absurd, they should've called it an "Outro". It's the vocalist thanking everyone who had an influence in his life and thanks people who have helped him become what his is today. 9/10

All in all, this is one impressive album, a must get!!

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Staind cd ever... well, at least what i think, May 20, 2003

By	J. Barth "fallingupwards84" (Boone, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Alright, I'm the first person to review this album! Alot of you are probably going to give this album a bad review and start labeling Staind as "sellouts". Everytime a band slightly changes their style, everyone automatically labels them as sellouts... anyway, here's the review:

Don't buy this album expecting a super-heavy, nu metal sound. Buy this album if you want to hear down to earth, melodic music. Don't get me wrong, its still heavy, but its not "metal" anymore... with the exception of a few songs. But thats ok, because I would not have been pleased with a copy cat of Dysfunction and Break the Cycle.

I can honest say that I can listen to this album without skipping one single song. I cant say that about the past two Staind albums. The new songs are just amazing. I was a little worried about whether or not they would be able to top Break the Cycle, but they did! Almost all of the songs on the new cd are capable of being hit singles. And another new change, not all of the songs are about aaron's bad relationship with his parents *gasp*!! That was one of the biggest complaints about this band... that they kept whining about their family life. Not so on this cd.

Overall this is a great album, the songs sound very different from eachother and very diverse. Its a great buy... go out and get it!!

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STAIND NEVER DISAPPOINTS!, May 20, 2003

By	Trav (Maggie Valley, NC.) - See all my reviews

Tormented had a few songs I liked. Dysfunction was a heavy/depressing album that you could play through and have the same feeling for. Very consistent. Break The Cycle was even more depressing, which was a good thing. If a person couldn't relate to every single song on BTC, then I'm not sure they have feelings. Amazing CD. And now we have 14 Shades of Grey, which I have had for about 5 days now and have been listening to nonstop. This CD, like the 2 before it, is just BRILLIANT. Again, like the previous 2, brings out certain emotions inside you. It's just beautiful music. Aaron has the best voice in rock today, by far. Nobody comes close. I'm going to put down my thoughts on each song, and none of that 10/10 garbage I see on here so much. They're all 10's, read on..

Price To Play - First single I'm sure everyone has heard. This is a nice hard rock song that also has a great message. There's a price for everything you do in life.

How About You - This song you can tell is not going to be heavy. It's basically about being yourself.

So Far Away - By far, THE best song on the CD. It has a certain sound to it and the lyrics are brilliant. It is depressing in a happy upbeat kind of way. It could make me cry every time. I love it. This song should be the next single.

Yesterday - Starts out a bit heavier. This song is about living for today. Great chorus.

Fray - This song sort of reminds me of a BTC style song... I don't know why. It isn't very upbeat like some of the rest.

Zoe Jane - Definitely the sofest song on the CD. Beautiful song about his daughter.

Fill Me Up - Somewhat heavy love song. I like it.

Layne - Song about Layne Stanley. Could be the next single. It's a very good song.

Falling Down - This song has a certain catch to it. It's about being very high up in life, and having to come down. Nice message.

Reality - This is one of my favorites. It's another dark song. I love the depressing ones.

Tonight - Also one of my favorites. This one is rather sad too.

Could It Be - This song starts off a bit different than your typical Staind song. Sort of has a happy tune to it. Very good song, though.

Blow Away - Longest song on CD. Pretty dark song. It's very god, though.

Intro - Nice name for the final song on CD. It's a nice finisher. Aaron's voice sounds a bit distant.. But it works. Good way to close the album.

Dysfunction = Masterpiece.
Break The Cycle = Masterpiece.
14 Shades of Grey = Masterpiece.

I'm not suprised they pulled this off. Can't wait to see what's next from Staind. Thank you for another beautiful album.