blackstar40's Full Review: 14 Shades of Grey [PA] by Staind
Staind positively clogged the airways in 2001 with ‘It’s Been Awhile,’ complete with melody to make even those claiming to hate the Massachusetts fourpiece subconsciously tap their foot to the catchy tune. To follow up to that hit, and indeed the 7x platinum album Break the Cycle, there’s notable changes in both execution and songwriting. It’s not as though Staind have undergone a makeover; the shaved heads, angry look and pain are all still present, but the title alone, 14 Shades of Grey, represents uncertainty between black and white, and there’s a degree of hope which must be applauded in lead singer Aaron Lewis’ songwriting.
‘Price to Play,’ the leadoff single, warns about taking more than your fair share, and you wonder what it will take for Staind to realize they are not some kind of R.E.M. or U2 and that these sorts of issues are best abandoned. Still, it’s a brimming opener that hits the ground running with it’s punding guitar and a vomit scream just below the surface of the vocals. ‘How About You’ drags out the morals to some extent (‘Not everything in life is handed on a plate’) but it’s also the firt of many tracks to tentatively mark the end of singer Aaron Lewis’ trauma, lyrics like ‘I sold my soul to get here / How about you?’ Refreshing – remember their previous three outings have been ones of angst, torment and dysfunctionality.
‘So Far Away’ hosts one of the most unforgettable acoustic guitar riffs available in their alt-metal nook, acoustic strums widely audible in the track itself, comforting Lewis’ musings on success: ‘This is the smile / That I’ve never shown before.’ The chorus itself may prove a little overdone falsetto-wise (heading for a whine) but the melody is too touching for this to be any detriment.
‘Yesterday’ and ‘Fray’ are both aggressive numbers, showing frequent vulgarity especially in the chorus, powerful but it could be smarter. Nevertheless, the backing makes sure that Lewis gets his say over the churn, refusing to make the common mistake of drowning his moody lyrics in tone-deaf noise designed to make kids bounce around in a mosh pit.
There’s a recognizable decline in the second half, too many tracks raising and returning the topic of love that Lewis has been given through his wife (‘Fill Me Up,’ ‘Reality’) and on ‘Zoe Jane,’ his daughter gets added to the list, but unfortunately it would be better sung around the family dinner table than here: it’s difficult to pick up anything of interest between the plodding temp other than Lewis’ constant drooling ‘Sweet Zoe Jane.’ ‘Layne’ also belongs in the songbook, hastily throwing together a replay of Alice In Chain’s ‘The Rooster’ to produce a tribute with a boring hook. ‘Your name was Layne’ – thanks Aaron.
‘Falling Down’ is the darkest point the album reaches, but once again it’s marred by lyrics that are tailored-to-fit Sesame Street, for five year olds and under who want to hear about the ‘sandcastles they’ve built falling down.’ On the opposite end, ‘Could It Be’ rises soon after it, containing memorable guitarwork and reflection like never before. ‘Blow Away’ resumes the depressed manner for Staind’s longest song yet in what should have been the album’s final word, lying in the hook ‘Memories I never though would fade / They fade and blow away.’
Instead, ‘Intro’ is the last 14 Shades of Grey has to say, taking up space purely so they album can live up to the 㢲’ part of it’s title, over-exposing guitar before drawn-out vocals add to it. It sounds like the lyrics are only there for lack of space in the already crowded liner credits, Lewis taking a gratuitous stab at all the ‘jaded and the fake’ whoever they are when he’s not thanking ‘all the people in his life for putting up with him.’ A screech on the part of guitarist Mike Mushok makes an effort to seal the album with impact.
There are two possible explanations for Staind’s obvious change on 14 Shades of Grey. One is that the band are trying to achieve more top 10 reigns with a set of mainstream rock cuts, the other is that Staind have, truly, found happiness, taken a good look at themselves, and decided to broaden their horizons from the fuming anxiety that would eventually have confined them. But with the amount of raw emotion Aaron Lewis can roar, sing, or melodically whine out in this production, it’s obligatory to believe the latter. Many fans were disappointed by this about turn, but in the end it comes down to accepting from the beginning that Staind were humans, not wild, masked rapcore rage machines. And if you weren’t prepared to accept that one day the members might just find peace of mind, then they probably weren’t the ideal band for you in the first place.
Track List [x indicates standout track]
1. Price to Play [x]
2. How About You [x]
3. So Far Away [x]
4. Yesterday
5. Fray
6. Zoe Jane
7. Fill Me Up
8. Layne
9. Falling Down
10. Reality
11. Tonight
12. Could It Be
13. Blow Away
14. Intro
Similar Artists: Cold, Seether, 10 Years
Heavy: Not really
Swearing: Yes
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