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Tracklist (CD)
| CD-1 | | Price To Play | | 3:36 | | CD-2 | | How About You | | 3:59 | | CD-3 | | So Far Away | | 4:05 | | CD-4 | | Yesterday | | 3:48 | | CD-5 | | Fray | | 5:04 | | CD-6 | | Zoe Jane | | 4:38 | | CD-7 | | Fill Me Up | | 4:25 |
See more tracks| CD-8 | | Layne | | 4:26 | | CD-9 | | Falling Down | | 3:56 | | CD-10 | | Reality | | 4:38 | | CD-11 | | Tonight | | 4:26 | | CD-12 | | Could It Be | | 4:44 | | CD-13 | | Blow Away | | 6:16 | | CD-14 | | Intro | | 4:30 | | | Bonus DVD | | | | DVD-1 | | Homegrown | | 41:46 |
* Items below may differ depending on the release.
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Review
Staind specialize in new metal's favorite pastime -- self-flagellation -- but the quartet does it with acoustic guitars and wet noodles, a formula that's turned it into a multimillion-seller. Aaron Lewis one-ups the competition in that he can do more than just grunt and growl; on Staind's third album, 14 Shades of Grey, his self-doubt is swathed in a croon that's every bit as expressive as Justin Timberlake's. Words such as "ashamed" spackle the songs, though Lewis does his best to smile through the anguish: "These are my words/That I've… Read More never said before/I think I'm doing OK." Unfortunately, Lewis' sensitivity training can't salvage Staind's washed-out music. Part of the problem is the thoroughly unimaginative production, a procession of soft-loud modern-rock cliches that breaks up the ho-hum guitar bashing with acoustic interludes and strings, notably on "Zoe Jane," a front-runner for this summer's lighter-waving ballad. Staind still haven't hit upon a sound to call their own; on "Layne" they even cop Alice in Chains' brooding drone metal in a clumsy tribute to the late singer Layne Staley. At least the title gets it right: 14 Shades of Grey couldn't be more drab. GREG KOT
(RS 925, June 26, 2003)
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