Great Album
Timothy P. Miller | Centerville, GA United States | 08/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Illusion of Progress is a great new album ( as of Aug. 23, 2008 ) from one of my favorite bands, Staind. It probably won't satisfy fans that like the heavier Staind music, as most of the songs are a bit slower and on the softer side. But if you would like a Great softer introspective rock album with an edge, check this one out."
Does not stray far from the past
Concerned One | Clarinda, IA | 08/27/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For starters, if you purhcase this album, the fan version is a no brainer. 3 extra tracks (it's been a while, devil, and schizophrenic conversations, allacoustic live), and a 1 year membership to the staind fanclub (a 40 dollar value with a free t-shirt mailed to your door, and online exclusive content and pre-order deals). The schizophrenic conversations was previously a bonus track on their greatest hits, but the other two are new. If you still can get it, do it.
Now focusing on the music, it is still typical Staind, songs of relationships, faith in each other and human kind, but a little less focus on bad childhoods and rebellion. Tangled up in You, Believe, and Nothing Left to Say are all fine examples of classic staind tunes. Most of the songs are very melodic and could be those "stuck in your head" songs of the morning. It does take about 2 listens to start to appreciate the nuances of this album, but worth a purchase.
As another reviewer mentioned, this album is not as heavy as previous Staind albums, with more of an acoustic rougher mix than previous albums. If you want loud angry teen angst of nu-metal, get tormented or dysfunction. this is the next progressive step from Chapter V."