Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
86 of 93 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Something Old, Something New., August 9, 2005
Well, one thing you'll notice upon your first listen to Staind's new album, "Chapter V," is that frontman Aaron Lewis seems to have moved past the "high on life" attitude he toted throughout much of 2003's ironically titled "14 Shades Of Grey." Not to say he's angry again, but gone are such sweet ballads as "So Far Away" and "Zoe Jane." If "Chapter V" is like any Staind album, it's probably best compared to "Break The Cycle." Taking turns between moody, introspective ballads and raw, in your face cuts that are likely to inspire a moshpit. Although they are far from reinventing themselves, Staind take a little bit of their past, and update it, and mix it up with feelings of today. In the past,they took things to extremes. If you wanted to kill yourself, "Tormented" would be your soundtrack. If you finally found inner happiness, "14 Shades Of Grey" would be your cup of tea. "Chapter V" takes the challenge of balancing all those emotions. From low lows, to high highs, all the bases are covered on this one album. I think it's safe to say that Staind have created an album that will appeal to most everyone.
With David Botrill (Tool, Silverchair) producing, and with guitarist Mike Mushok sporting a lush head of hair, Staind are back. "Chapter V" begins with one of the best, "Run Away," which takes things to a new level for the group. Mushok's guitar parts are more expressive than ever, and truly define this one song. It's a perfect way to kick off things, with a song that carries so many dynamics, much like the entire album itself. Fans of the group will find familiar fare in the mid-tempo, semi-ballads "Right Here" and "Schizophrenic Conversations," but the group truly reaches it's peak with the mezmerizing and touching "Everything Changes." On the other end of the spectrum, "Paper Jesus" and "Falling" will most likely appease fans of "Tormented" or "Dysfunction." It's important to note that the lyrical content of this album takes things in a whole new direction. Aaron seems to be a bit more ambiguous this time around with his messages, which is actually quite refreshing, from someone who wore his feelings on his sleeve for four albums prior. The tone of the album is neither negative, nor positive. Yes, the man found happiness, as was well documented on the last album, but he obviously still is living on planet Earth and still has things on his mind, which is what "Chapter V" is all about. It's not whiney, it's not preachy. It's not angry, it's not joyful. It is quite simply, human.
While the album as a whole isn't perfect, it is still a five star album in my eyes, for it takes Staind to a whole new level. Now, at their fifth album (wow, time flies), they seem to be settling into a comfort zone, where they can handle all dynamics, where they are above and beyond the competition. The musicianship on here is excellent, a notch above, and Aaron's vocal deliver is stellar as always. Anyone who has followed Staind this far will find much cause for celebration with this album.
|
|
|
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Honestly, write a review worth something., August 9, 2005
Alright we have 2 camps in the reviews i have read of this album. The ones that love absolutly everything Staind does and the ones that dont. Neither of which have given a decent review of this album that i could base any sort of descision on. So i bought the album anyways.
1. Run Away 4/5: Happier guitar riff, with lyrics that arn't happy at all. The bridge of the songs slows it down to the normal depressing Staind we all know and love. The song grows on you, but dont expect it to be a favorite right off.
2. Right Here 4/5: I love the verses. The chorus is good, but it annoys me and sounds cliche. Aaron tries some experimenting with his vocals to try something new and im glad that he tries, it keeps things fresh and original. Again, a song that will grow on you.
3. Paper Jesus 3/5: Harder riffs to start off, the first throw back to the days of Dysfunction. The vocals however are experimental and dont match anything on dysfunction or any other Staind release for that matter. The chorus is repetative and the verse does nothing for me, not to say it wont for you. However, the bridge is absolutly great.
4. Schizophrenic Conversations 4/5: Slower song, its a decent song. Nothing more. The end is better than the beginning and almost makes up for it.
5. Falling 5/5: Finally! A song that is very memerable. Great drum beat to start off with and the chorus is excellent.
6. Cross To Bear 4.7/5: Off beat slightly, the chorus and versus are great. Not quite as good as the last song, but a damn good competitor.
7. Devil 5/5: The guitar riff in this song is awesome. The lyrics are finally kicking into what we want to hear from the Staind and the way they should be portrayed.
8. Please 6/5: Interesting guitar riff, sort of a depressing festive if you can imagine it. When the lyrics kick in there is no doubt that this isnt a happy song. The chorus is perfect and memerable. The first song on the album to send chills down my spine.
9. Everything Changes: Another great slow depressing song. The verse is alright, but the chorus is great. And what is this? A guitar solo? Actually the second on the album i believe.
10. Take This 2/5: The chorus absolutly sucks, wtf were they thinking? The guitar riff drags on and on and on. Worst song on the album.
11. King Of All Excuses 5/5: Harder song that sounds nothing like any other hard song they have done, awesome.
12. Reply 5/5: The song they should have and did close with, gives you a nice spacey depressed feeling that i usually like getting from Staind. Not to slow not to fast.
To sum up this album. No it doesnt sound like other Staind albums, yes it has Stainds sound. As any band that plays their own music should have. Not every song on here is a winner. But yes there are plenty of songs that you will listen to over and over. If you liked all 3 previous Staind albums go pick this one up, Im sure if you were a loyal fan to begin with you have it. And if you are going to review an album, give more than a paragraph description on it and make it educated some what. After all they are for people looking to buy the album. The whole "I hate them, they suck everything that is to suck on this earth" Isnt educated and neither is "This is the greatest cd in the world, as well as the best band in the world" Find some middle ground.
|
|
|
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
And the hits just keep on coming..., August 16, 2006
While some may argue that Staind is becoming too soft compared to their earlier albums like Tormented and Dysfunction, that sentiment hasn't stopped them from putting out another great album packed with hits. This album blends their "hard core" metal beginnings with their greatly developed musical talents and abilities and the result is friggin brilliance. Aaron's vocals and Mike's guitar make this album worth buying.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
Interact With Your Music: Discover, listen to, and buy new music, all from the pages of SPIN's digital edition, free to Amazon customers.
by Staind 
