Watch out, mom and dad. If you don't treat your kids right, they're gonna up and start an alt-metal band to share the angst you've brought on them with the world. After all, who needs therapy when you've got a million kids... more » hearing your pain on MTV? Staind has never been a band to gloss over personal issues. They've given their albums names like Torment and Dysfunction, and their lyrics delve deep into singer Aaron Lewis' difficult past. Contrary to the title, Staind's third release, Break the Cycle, sticks with the tormented cycle, covering the same themes of heartbreak, self-doubt, and broken homes. Lewis has almost three decades of personal material to mine, and as familiar as his issues are, Break the Cycle still feels like a new, honest look into difficulties that can hit people across the board. "Waste," a song written to a fan who committed suicide, is particularly poignant as it grabbles with Lewis's empathy and anger for a boy he's never met. "Outside" is another album standout. It's a slower, partially acoustic number that builds on its own emotion. The songs on Break the Cycle are drenched in melancholy melodies and slow, heavy riffs typical of the sensitive side of the alt-rock genre. Lewis sometimes breaks out into either a hearty yell or a throaty gurgle that sounds like the devil vomiting ("Can't Believe"), but the best songs keep his passion a little more controlled. You've probably heard rock like Break the Cycle piping from mainstream radio stations already, but Lewis's ability to turn his breakdowns into his art should capture a new round of fans happy to find kindred spirits in the band. --Jennifer Maerz« less
Watch out, mom and dad. If you don't treat your kids right, they're gonna up and start an alt-metal band to share the angst you've brought on them with the world. After all, who needs therapy when you've got a million kids hearing your pain on MTV? Staind has never been a band to gloss over personal issues. They've given their albums names like Torment and Dysfunction, and their lyrics delve deep into singer Aaron Lewis' difficult past. Contrary to the title, Staind's third release, Break the Cycle, sticks with the tormented cycle, covering the same themes of heartbreak, self-doubt, and broken homes. Lewis has almost three decades of personal material to mine, and as familiar as his issues are, Break the Cycle still feels like a new, honest look into difficulties that can hit people across the board. "Waste," a song written to a fan who committed suicide, is particularly poignant as it grabbles with Lewis's empathy and anger for a boy he's never met. "Outside" is another album standout. It's a slower, partially acoustic number that builds on its own emotion. The songs on Break the Cycle are drenched in melancholy melodies and slow, heavy riffs typical of the sensitive side of the alt-rock genre. Lewis sometimes breaks out into either a hearty yell or a throaty gurgle that sounds like the devil vomiting ("Can't Believe"), but the best songs keep his passion a little more controlled. You've probably heard rock like Break the Cycle piping from mainstream radio stations already, but Lewis's ability to turn his breakdowns into his art should capture a new round of fans happy to find kindred spirits in the band. --Jennifer Maerz
Chad Spivak | North Miami Beach, Florida | 07/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sorry, but I just couldn't resist the play on words in my review title. This is the third album released by the band, and it's definately their best effort to date.Aaron Lewis, and his throaty vocals, truly shine on this album. In "Break the Cycle," Staind puts together a contemporary group of songs with true-to-heart, candid lyrics. Although some may view them as "dark," it is hard to ignore to truth, albeit, the sometimes bitter truth of heartbreak and broken homes."Outside" is an excellent stand-out single that has a nice acoustic feel to it, and the version cut with Fred Durst is amazing. Other awesome tracks include "It's Been Awhile, "For You ," and "Change." Staind has put together a excellent album written with a lot of strong emotion, and is complete in almost every way imaginable. "Break the Cycle" is a pleasant surprise and it's an album worth purchasing."
Break the Cycle
Chad Spivak | 07/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Very, Very good. I think this is one of the greatest cds. The words are powerful,but not over powering. The music isn't too heavy and Aaron Lewis's voice is oddly calming. "To You" is a song from the kids to their parents. the message: "hey i'm here, love me." I think this cd is good for the teens out there who are having a hard time with life, or just a bad day."
Best Album I have heard
Grant Riesen | Celina,Ohio | 05/28/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After Dysfunction, i thought Staind couldnt get any better. On May 22nd, i went to On-Cue and picked up Break The Cycle, bought it, and brought it home, and listened to it all the way through, An incredible album overall, buy it, you wont be disappointed, it is 10 times better than i ever expected.Buy It!!!"
Tough music for tough times
Alan Crisler | towanda,Ks | 05/06/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This Cd is a very good cd. Aarron lewis is a great song writer, probally one of todays better writers. True almost all of the songs are somewhat dark. That is okay because I don't like to hear good day sunshine all the time. Almost all the songs are worth listening except for the one where he just screams a bunch.
This cd is great for when you're going to tough times. Just listen and its weird how sometimes you can really relate to it. Over all I feel this is one of todays better cd's. Plus he doesn't cuss as much Fred Durst does."
Good, if you can stomach everything it throws at you
Mr. J. C. Hart | London | 08/18/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this CD through a recommendation (not yet released here in the UK) and I have to say I am glad I did. Definitely leaning towards the harder side of Rock, an excellent guitar riff opens the album in a way you can't ignore. Brilliant set pieces and on the whole a great antidote to some of the blander pop-rock bands around. But even so, I would have to balance that with a caveat. Gifted though the singer clearly is, the lyrics sometimes veer too close to tacky to sit quite right in this context ("all your daughters are porn stars, and your sons sell death" anyone?). That aside, well worth investing your time on."