Search - Staind :: 14 Shades of Grey

Not bad

Robert VerBruggen | USA | 05/29/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Since the release of their sophomore effort (major-label debut) Dysfunction, Staind has shown the trend of losing heaviness in favor of more melody. This trend continued on Break the Cycle. Not surprisingly, 14 Shades of Grey is once again the most melodic, least heavy and newest Staind record to date.



Not to say that's a bad thing, in and of itself. The melodies, as always, are for the most part catchy and well-written. Voice-wise, Aaron Lewis is in top form on this record, and that alone makes it worth purchasing.



Perhaps the only exception is the track "Layne," obviously a tribute to the late Alice in Chains vocalist Layne Staley. Lewis tries to imitate the vocal harmonies of the defunct group, but his voice does not sound as haunting as Staley's when overdubbed on itself in the same fashion.



It is a well-done tribute in terms of evoking the memory of the AIC singer, but it does not fit with the rest of the CD. The rest of the CD is pretty homogenous, though, so perhaps it's good just for variety's sake.



The biggest negative aspect to the record is the lack of variety in song topics. Thankfully, the themes are not quite as oppressive as on previous releases-some tracks are actually about being OK psychologically-but the vast majority of the record is still dedicated to being depressed. Hopefully, on future releases, song topics will further diversify.



Another problem with 14 Shades of Grey is that Mike Mushok's guitar style is getting a bit clichéd: arpeggios for the soft, clean verses and sustained, distorted power/suspended chords for the louder but melodic choruses. Here and there, he still throws in a riff or an interesting two-guitar part, and his style serves as a good backdrop to the vocals, but perhaps more riffs or a solo here and there would be less predictable.



Essentially, Staind are beginning to settle into a routine on this record. It is a bit less heavy than Break the Cycle, but the themes and guitar style are basically unchanged. It is catchy and worth purchasing, but hopefully they will evolve in a new direction in the near future."

Best Staind Work Ever!!!!!!!

R. Morris | Idaho Falls, ID USA | 08/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow! This cd is definitely the best Staind album out yet. I waited a while to get this album because I wasn't sure I would like it very much. A lot of people complained that it was too soft and boring. I took my chances anyway because I liked their other two albums(Dysfunction, Break the Cycle) a lot. Every song on this cd is simply remarkable and I just can't get enough of it. The band really does a good job of showing how they feel and that is a good way to get to know a band. Some of my favorite songs on this cd are "Price To Play", "So Far Away", and "Fray". I can't believe that they could put such a good album together. It will always be one of my favorite rock cd's I'll ever own. Go buy it."

Guys, sheesh, give them a break will you?

R. Morris | 07/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Personally I think this album is a major success and barely surpasses break the cycle. So what if it's not as hard, or the tunes aren't as catchy as 2 certain main btc singles which is probably all you've heard... That's not what matters in this case. Staind have done the hardcore thing. It's well known that as bands evolve they tend to explore the more melodic and softer side of music, and this is a prime example. It's not that they get worse, they simply change. If you can't hack that, or can't keep up with it, well you've only failed yourself in that you can't learn to like something that others have no problem with. As a major Staind fan, I feel for what you're missing out on.Moving along, I think this album is an awsome step in Aaron's progress as an emotional singer... we all knew he sung from the heart, what torment started, and what btc continued in an even better form, yet this album still manages to build up the emotional connection between the lyricist and the listener. The lyrics are clearer and deeper, not as cryptic or as murky (can't believe, suffer) and I truly think they're easier to reach for us fans.And for that person who said that this album is soft ... well, you liked btc, didn't you? I bet you loved epiphany and outside, hell, even it's been a while was based on soft undertone melodies. I think it's wrong to dismiss the new soft songs so quickly simply because they expanded on a winnning formula... but oh well, those who don't like it won't like it, there will always be people like that.Also it's obvious that the band worked incredibly hard on this release, they had so much to live up to... As a true fan of staind I respect their hard work and will stand by them, even when they do release a bad album."