Staind - Not Again

[rockmaniac]

the first single off Staind's upcoming yet-untitled album. goes for adds June 20. eventually we'll know the name of the single before then

[mcbrearty]

Their last album had a few cool tunes. But the less said about Lewis's solo career the better though.

[Devin]

YEAH! Excited, but hopefully it doesn't sound as soft as "Believe" or "All I Want", although they were okay. I want a lead single that could've came from Break the Cycle.

[sofaraway26]

Great band. It seems the album will be very heavy and I'm glad for it, however I love all their stuff and songs like So FarAway or Everything Changes are incredible

[pen]

May 7, 2011 5:13:15 GMT -5 sofaraway26 said:

Great band. It seems the album will be very heavy and I'm glad for it, however I love all their stuff and songs like So FarAway or Everything Changes are incredible

How do you know it will be very heavy? And please don't say because they said so.

[mcbrearty]

May 7, 2011 8:43:33 GMT -5 pen said:

How do you know it will be very heavy? And please don't say because they said so.

lol

[Shadows in the Dark]

Excited for this. Also hoping for a bit of a heavier sound.

[sofaraway26]

May 7, 2011 8:43:33 GMT -5 pen said:

May 7, 2011 5:13:15 GMT -5 sofaraway26 said:

Great band. It seems the album will be very heavy and I'm glad for it, however I love all their stuff and songs like So FarAway or Everything Changes are incredible

How do you know it will be very heavy? And please don't say because they said so.

Because they said so
(However I used the word "seems" and not that it's sure)

@rockmaniac: where did you read that info?

[singingsparrow]

Perhaps the key to getting that heavier album many of us have been pining for all comes down to reverse psychology! ;)

*

"Hey Staind, can you be good sports and make us a record replete with soaring Hallmark-card platitudes, Lewis's histrionics elevated to the Nth degree, unnecessary applying of strings, mellotron and drum loops to a majority of the tracks and crafted and mixed entirely out of Pro-Tools software? And while you're at it, make sure you squeeze every bit of syrupy sentimentality out of Aaron Lewis like juice out of a turnip, without him displaying any understated vocal performances nor digging particularly deep into an emotional state out of risk of confusing the listener and rendering the lyrics ambiguous.........and apply hints of Auto-Tune where you do see fit? (Whatever that means!) Thanks, we really appreciate it!"

*

(taps foot idly)

Namaste,
Lisping Hibiscus

[jvandyck87]

I think Aaron Lewis' need for a solo album bodes well. It probably means Mike Mushok will be more involved with the writing for Staind, and that Aaron Lewis is taking out his inner hick/personal taste as an acoustic singer/songwriter out on that venture, and leaving Staind for the heavier stuff. One might hope.

[singingsparrow]

May 8, 2011 16:33:38 GMT -5 jvandyck87 said:

I think Aaron Lewis' need for a solo album bodes well. It probably means Mike Mushok will be more involved with the writing for Staind, and that Aaron Lewis is taking out his inner hick/personal taste as an acoustic singer/songwriter out on that venture, and leaving Staind for the heavier stuff. One might hope.

That, actually, is a plausible point, which I hope has truth to it.

I really haven't felt "Town Line" as a whole, and I find the single "Country Boy" to be one of the most intelligence-insulting songs of any genre I've heard in quite some time..........but perhaps that is the silver lining here. That Lewis felt Staind's musical essence had become too muddled, too ambiguous, especially after "The Illusion of Progress" which............in spite of what admittedly are unique textural touch-ups that flavor the album from the use of pedal steel guitar in "Tangled Up" (which was re-recorded for "Town Line" under the title "Tangled Up in You") and "The Corner" (which also features a gospel-leaning chorus), to the use of vintage equipment that gives off slight variances from their usual operative mode production-wise on tracks like "Raining Again"................nonetheless carried across as nothing more than a paint-by-numbers Staind record in a slightly lighter-hued packaging.

"The Illusion of Progress" is probably the most appropriate title the record could have received, with respect to where they are as far as musical identity is concerned. They felt at the time they could stretch themselves across other musical terrain without alienating their fans and losing their signature flare..........but ultimately it became apparent to them that what they construed as "progress" at the time, by moving forward..........was an illusion. That they got a bit too far ahead of themselves, and the musical identity of Staind had become as confusing as ever, especially with the lack of a single with staying power.

Perhaps Aaron Lewis is now observing the scope of Staind in relation to his own artistry in a way similar to how Eddie Vedder has done likewise in relation to Pearl Jam. Even though you'll hear a small handful of gentle songs on Pearl Jam records regardless, Vedder wisely nonetheless chooses to release a bulk of his more gentler, thematically-lighter material under his own name or in other side projects, as he is about to do again with "Ukulele Songs". And Lewis sees the juxtaposed release of "Town Line" under his own name as necessary in ensuring Staind remains as cohesive and tight a unit as ever, after being on the verge of slipping toward ambiguous obscurity.

Namaste,
Lisping Hibiscus

[rockmaniac]

this is shocking. Jon Wysocki left the band.

www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158403

[pen]

A lot of good stuff in that article, but I actually am a little surprised. Staind has had the same lineup forever and ever and now all of a sudden I can't say that about them anymore.

[Devin]

Aaron Lines: "...the heaviest thing we have recorded in a long time. It's definitely one of the heaviest collection of songs that we have put together."

Doubt it. A lot. A whole lot.

[pen]

Actually, if this is their last album with Atlantic, I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be at the very least heavier than previous albums, because they have nothing to lose really at this point.

[rockmaniac]

Will Hunt will be the drummer, but for their tour dates

www.staind.com/profiles/blogs/staind-has-parted-ways-with

[pen]

May 20, 2011 13:35:33 GMT -5 rockmaniac said:

Will Hunt will be the drummer, but for their tour dates

www.staind.com/profiles/blogs/staind-has-parted-ways-with

It said that in the first article you posted.

[lockebox]

May 20, 2011 13:33:41 GMT -5 Devin said:

Aaron Lines: "...the heaviest thing we have recorded in a long time. It's definitely one of the heaviest collection of songs that we have put together."

Doubt it. A lot. A whole lot.

I think that's around the fourth time Aaron Lewis has said that.

[pen]

May 20, 2011 14:07:00 GMT -5 lockebox said:

May 20, 2011 13:33:41 GMT -5 Devin said:

Doubt it. A lot. A whole lot.

I think that's around the fourth time Aaron Lewis has said that.

It's almost like he believes it or something.

[singingsparrow]

Q: And when you say that this is the heaviest thing you've recorded in a long time, I'm assuming you mean 'heavy' as in Richard Marx in a lukewarm bath of MercyMe?

(Lewis draws a blank stare like a deer gazing into twinned headlights for fifteen seconds, scratches his rear, then finally takes a resigning breath)

A: (sigh) Yeah, it's that kind of heavy alright!

*



Namaste,
Lisping Hibiscus

[pen]

I've never listened to MercyMe. Are they any good?

[American Idiot]

May 20, 2011 23:06:01 GMT -5 pen said:

I've never listened to MercyMe. Are they any good?

All I know is that they're one of the bigger bands in the Christian scene.

[pen]

May 20, 2011 23:19:26 GMT -5 American Idiot said:

May 20, 2011 23:06:01 GMT -5 pen said:

I've never listened to MercyMe. Are they any good?

All I know is that they're one of the bigger bands in the Christian scene.

That doesn't tell me anything. Thanks.

[onefrayedrepublic]

MercyMe is like worship music stuff. We can only hope Staind will steer clear of that direction as their sound continues to evolve.

[singingsparrow]

May 20, 2011 23:06:01 GMT -5 pen said:

I've never listened to MercyMe. Are they any good?

In relation to the rest of the "Christian rock" genre, they actually are one of the more talented, trend-setting bands, which have continuously made an effort to stretch themselves and spawned hordes of inferior copycats in that, regardless of your opinion of Christian rock overall (I don't listen to Christian music radio, but am willing to give any act a listen regardless of genre, even though I have to say a lot of the more successful acts on the format reply too heavily on histrionics and tame production)

I mentioned them because, in spite of their massive influence in their genre, they've had a handful of their singles also cross over into the mainstream, and each of their more broader-known releases also happen to be their most syrupy and watered-down material, which has lead many to believe MercyMe are nothing more than just another paint-by-numbers adult contemporary band designed to be musical wallpaper for dentist offices and played over the intercom at Macy's.

But hey, if Lewis considers that "heavy" in his view, then heavy it must be. Dental offices can sure have an heavy air to them when taking on impacted tooth surgery.

Namaste,
Lisping Hibiscus

[pen]

First of all, I suppose what I'd want to know about MercyMe is how strong the Christian angle plays in their music, because that actually is a bit of a turnoff to me for a band. Most of the Christian rock bands I listen to usually appeal to secular audiences in equal amounts.

Second off, we don't know what this album sounds like, so to say that's what Aaron considers heavy is a bit of a hasty conclusion. There's been nothing released from this album, so until there is, it's probably a bad idea to make comments like that prematurely.

Third, I don't know if I like the tone this is taking. I like Staind, heavy or not. I'm as tired of the band promising heaviness and then having to take it back as much as the next guy, but I still enjoy their albums and their last one was pretty solid. No Break The Cycle, but that would be too much to hope for, I think.

[singingsparrow]

May 21, 2011 1:12:47 GMT -5 pen said:

First of all, I suppose what I'd want to know about MercyMe is how strong the Christian angle plays in their music, because that actually is a bit of a turnoff to me for a band. Most of the Christian rock bands I listen to usually appeal to secular audiences in equal amounts.

Second off, we don't know what this album sounds like, so to say that's what Aaron considers heavy is a bit of a hasty conclusion. There's been nothing released from this album, so until there is, it's probably a bad idea to make comments like that prematurely.

Third, I don't know if I like the tone this is taking. I like Staind, heavy or not. I'm as tired of the band promising heaviness and then having to take it back as much as the next guy, but I still enjoy their albums and their last one was pretty solid. No Break The Cycle, but that would be too much to hope for, I think.

I'd have to say the angle plays considerably in their music, to be honest, although on their two most recent albums they've made a notable departure from their earlier output and have released some conceptual material that is more inspirational but not overtly religious.

Your latter two points are certainly most fair. I was joshing more than anything. Especially given Staind have established themselves, more than anything, off of poignant, often understated rock ballads more recently..........it would definitely be hypocritical of me to judge the band for not being heavy enough. I was just poking fun at the fact that, for the record, they often suggest they're returning to their heavier roots but it isn't reflected musically, at least, in the actual output.

But I'm really fine with whatever sound they churn out. What matters most to me, personally, is if Lewis remains as emotionally committed to his songwriting craft.

"Country Boy" was a terrible warning shot over the bow. It was just beyond insulting to hear him sing about how the person he was when he sold an estimated seventeen million records with Staind over the course of twelve years actually wasn’t him at all..............that the real story is that, apparently, he sold his soul to the devil in Los Angeles at the Marquis, and that in reality he has always been ashamed of Staind's music (even though "Country Boy" sounds exactly like a signature Staind ballad, only with a little dobro added for good measure). "Country Boy" was nothing more than a public relations newsletter set to a Staind musical structure, exploiting American exceptionalism as a marketing tool to establish a new career in one of a few still-viable radio formats.

Hopefully this won't become a chronic compulsion that carries over into Staind's core formats as well.

Namaste,
Lisping Hibiscus

[pen]

So I've heard reports that Staind played a new song at Rock On The Range and it's actually heavy. Interesting.

[HereIsGone]

May 22, 2011 7:27:52 GMT -5 pen said:

So I've heard reports that Staind played a new song at Rock On The Range and it's actually heavy. Interesting.

Lol. Now that's a turn of events.

[singingsparrow]

May 22, 2011 7:27:52 GMT -5 pen said:

So I've heard reports that Staind played a new song at Rock On The Range and it's actually heavy. Interesting.

(slips his spectacles off his eyes, cleans the lenses, puts them back on with his mouth agape in astonishment, then rolls his eyes again with the back of his knuckles)

@.@

Namaste,
Lisping Hibiscus