1.Tormented (1996); 2.Dysfunction (1999); 3.Break the Cycle (2001); 4.14 Shades of Gray (2003); 5.Chapter V (2005); 6.The Illusion of Progress (2008); 7.Staind (2011)
Tormented
Released November 29, 1996, Length 73:33, Label Self-Released
1.Tolerate 4:38
2.Come Again 3:50
3.Break 3:58
4.Painful 3:30
5.Nameless 3:29
6.Mudshuvel 4:34
7.See Thru 4:27
8.Question? 3:30
9.No One's Kind 4:46
10.Self Destruct 3:36
11.4 Walls 5:27
12.The Funeral 19:38 (hidden track)
Tormented is the first studio album by American rock band Staind, self-released in 1996. The album was originally only available in limited quantities in New England, United States, with the original release limited to 4,000 copies. Tormented would later be re-released several times, without modification, in response to overwhelming demand from fans amidst Staind's success in the early 2000s. The album was never sold in stores, and was instead sold at concerts and on their website in several forms. The album contains an early version of "Mudshovel", named "Mudshuvel", the song which would propel Staind into mainstream rock success in 1999. Tormented would remain Staind's heaviest album to date.
Music and lyrics
Many of the songs on Tormented deal with pain, hate and depression, including a gun being loaded, cocked, and fired at the start and finish, which (along with the hidden track "The Funeral") make it something of a concept album revolving around a depressed individual who eventually commits suicide. Despite being an intense heavy metal record, Staind's 1996 effort includes an acoustic song entitled "4 Walls". Frontman Aaron Lewis elaborated on the motivation for the musical style heard on Tormented:
"The closest we ever came to being a metal band was on our very first record, Tormented. On that, we were trying to fit into the Boston hardcore scene. That was what we had to work with at the time. We didn't have a record deal. We didn't have anything going on. In order to try to compete in some way in the Boston hardcore music scene, we wrote a really heavy record, and our roots for that heaviness were metal. It's never been that since. Even Dysfunction was a huge step away from Tormented."
In later years, Staind members have emphasized Tormented as an early primitive step in the band's musical evolution. Guitarist Mike Mushok noted in 2008 his lack of appreciation for the album:
"We have a lot of fans who say, 'I love Tormented.' I'm like, 'Have you ever listened to it? Because I can't.' But that's great – that's why they're fans."
Cover art
The album is known for its bloody cover art, depicting a Barbie doll on a crucifix and a knife impaling a Bible. This grotesque art appalled Fred Durst so greatly that he attempted to remove Staind from a concert bill shortly before their performance. Durst failed, and after hearing the band play, was so impressed that he signed them to Flip/Elektra and co-produced their next album.
Post-Tormented
"Mudshuvel", renamed "Mudshovel", would be re-recorded and released as Staind's second single. It would become the band's breakout single and the most popular song from their 1999 album, Dysfunction.
The track "Come Again" was released with the 2004 single of "Right Here" and on the band's singles compilation in 2006. It has also since started being played at shows, along with "Break" and "Tolerate."
Dysfunction
Released April 13, 1999, Length 56:14, Label Flip/ Elektra
1.Suffocate 3:16
2.Just Go 4:50
3.Me 4:36
4.Raw 4:09
5.Mudshovel 4:41
6.Home 4:04
7.A Flat 4:59
8.Crawl 4:29
9.Spleen (contains hidden track "Excess Baggage" starting at 16:20) 21:01
Dysfunction is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Staind. It is also their first release on any label at all, in this case the Flip/Elektra label. "Just Go", "Mudshovel", and "Home" were released as singles. The song "Mudshovel" can also be found on their previous album, Tormented, albeit in a slightly different form; although, this version of the song goes under the title of "Mudshuvel." It would serve as the band's breakout single and help Dysfunction sell 1 million copies worldwide.
Background
Despite trying to remove Staind from opening for Limp Bizkit at a 1997 concert, due to the harsh cover illustration on their 1996 album, Fred Durst was impressed with their performance. And after hearing their four-song demo, Durst signed Staind to Flip/Elektra to record their label debut; however, he suggest the band become more melodic. They then traveled to Jacksonville, Florida to begin developing new songs, and after a meeting with Flip, Staind recorded a three-track sampler in Los Angeles, California. By February 1998, they acquired a record contract and after performing on the summer Warped Tour began recording Dysfunction in December.
Musically, the album is often categorized as a form of heavy metal; however, Staind frontman Aaron Lewis has regarded the band's 1996 album as their only true metal record and added that "even Dysfunction was a huge step away from Tormented."
Guitarist Mike Mushok expressed frustration in how label personnel were in no way intrusive on the production of Dysfunction, but after it sold over a million copies, the band would be relentlessly hassled during the production of future albums.
Album art
The artwork for Dysfunction reflects its title. All four band members are depicted with dysfunctional properties related to their position in the band; Aaron (vocalist) is shown without a mouth, Mike (guitarist) is shown with webbed hands, Johnny (bassist) is shown with only one arm and Jon (drums and percussion) is shown with a pegged leg. Finally the most obvious reference to the album's title is on the cover; the clown's reflection is incorrect.
Touring and performance
Staind toured with Kid Rock in the spring before joining the Family Values Tour 1999 along with various heavy metal and rap musicians. Three tracks were performed live during the band's MTV Unplugged performance in 2002: "Me," and "Home," and the hidden track "Excess Baggage."
Break the Cycle
Released May 22, 2011, Length 50:50, Label Flip/ Elektra
2.Pressure 3:22
3.Fade 4:03
4.It's Been Awhile 4:25
5.Change 3:35
6.Can't Believe 2:48
7.Epiphany 4:19
8.Suffer 3:59
9.Safe Place 4:35
10.For You 3:26
11.Outside 4:52
12.Waste 3:56
13.Take It 3:37
Break the Cycle is Staind's third studio album from 2001. It is Staind's most successful album to date, and was the album that broke them into the mainstream. It was a huge international success for the band, as it spent 3 weeks at number 1 position in the U.S. album charts and many weeks in the top 10 album charts of The Billboard 200, the UK and New Zealand. It sold 4 million copies in 2001.
A total of 5 singles were released from this album, "It's Been Awhile", "Fade", "Outside", "For You" and "Epiphany", all of which did reasonably well.
There were videos made for each of these songs (some of which can be found on Staind's MTV Unplugged DVD). The first four singles had varying degrees of success in the UK, "It's Been Awhile" charting the highest of the four released in both countries. The album also includes a track called "Waste" dedicated to two teenage fans who committed suicide. While a heavy metal album, the album begins to show the bands future post-grunge style which is very evident in the album's hit "It's Been Awhile".
There were videos made for each of these songs (some of which can be found on Staind's MTV Unplugged DVD). The first four singles had varying degrees of success in the UK, "It's Been Awhile" charting the highest of the four released in both countries. The album also includes a track called "Waste" dedicated to two teenage fans who committed suicide. While a heavy metal album, the album begins to show the bands future post-grunge style which is very evident in the album's hit "It's Been Awhile".
There is also a bonus track on the album. In the U.S., the bonus track is an acoustic version of "It's Been Awhile". However on the Australian and European editions, the bonus track is a live acoustic version of "Outside", performed with Fred Durst in Biloxi, Mississippi on the Family Values Tour 1999.
Sales
Break the Cycle was a best-selling album. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot Charts with first week sales of 716,003 copies. It remained at top the follow week with 329,299 copies. In the third week it was #1 again with 244,698 copies. In the forth dropped at #2 with 221,179 copies. It sell over 100,000 copies in the first 13 weeks. At june 2006 it sold 5,467,000 in the Usa alone. Break the Cycle also topped the Uk charts, where it was certified platinum, in New Zeland and in Canada, where it had the multi-platinum status. The world sales are around 8 milion of copies.
Reception
Initial critical response ranged from mixed to average. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 55, based on 9 reviews.
14 Shades of Gray
Released May 20, 2003, Length 62:32, Label Flip/ Elektra
1.Price to Play 3:35
2.How About You 3:57
3.So Far Away 4:04
4.Yesterday 3:46
5.Fray 5:04
6.Zoe Jane 4:36
7.Fill Me Up 4:24
8.Layne 4:25
9.Falling Down 3:55
10.Reality 4:37
11.Tonight 4:24
12.Could It Be 4:43
13.Blow Away 6:14
14.Intro 4:28
14 Shades of Grey is the fourth studio album by American rock band Staind, released on May 20, 2003. The album continues the developed sound from the band's last album Break the Cycle, though the songs on the album are lighter in tone and have a less aggressive sound.
The album featured four singles and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, with first week sales of 220,000 copies. By July 2003, 14 Shades of Grey had been certified gold then later platinum.
Background
After finishing their tour schedule, Staind allowed frontman Aaron Lewis and his wife to conceive their first child and settle for a few months. They then took about five weeks to write new songs before they began recording in Los Angeles. The band also spent a week developing the songs at producer Josh Abraham's house. Guitarist Mike Mushok noted it as the first time Staind has actually written in the studio.
In January 2003, Staind planned on a May 6 release date for their untitled fourth album. This date persisted into March during which an album title was announced. However, this would have to be delayed a few weeks.
Aaron Lewis elaborated on the lighter direction of 14 Shades of Grey:
"It's kind of a logical progression where we're getting older now. . . [Guitarist] Mike [Mushok] is married, and I'm married now with a kid and we're that much deeper into figuring out as far as lyrically goes and figuring out our trades as far as writing songs go."
Guitarist Mike Mushok described the album title in a 2003 interview:
"I think it's kind of referring to how in life there's black and white and then there's this grey area. . . I think the older you get you start to realize that more things are grey and not so much black and white."
The song "Layne" is a tribute to Layne Staley, late Alice in Chains singer. The song "Zoe Jane" honors Aaron Lewis' firstborn daughter.
Release
First editions of the album included a limited edition bonus DVD featuring footage of the band from their early years to the present, along with album lyrics and new band photos. For a time, fans could use the CD to download a bonus acoustic song "Let it Out" from the Staind website, but the page was later removed. The song was later included on the deluxe edition of the bands next album, Chapter V.
Touring and promotion
The single "Price to Play" was released in early anticipation of the album's debut. Three more singles were released over the next several months with accompanying music videos.
Staind supported 14 Shades of Grey with a series of in-store appearances followed by free club performances. They also performed with Label mates Cold during the summer of 2003. Concert setlists incorporated songs from all the band's albums including a few tracks from Tormented, Staind's lesser known record.
Chapter V
Released August 9, 2005, Length 50:45, Label Flip/ Elektra
1.Run Away 3:39
2.Right Here 4:13
3.Paper Jesus 4:14
4.Schizophrenic Conversations 4:32
5.Falling 4:20
6.Cross to Bear 3:40
7.Devil 5:00
8.Please 4:24
9.Everything Changes 3:58
10.Take This 4:42
11.King of All Excuses 3:39
12.Reply 4:14
13.Open Wide 4:03 (Bonus Track On Japanese Release)
Chapter V is the fifth studio album from Staind. It was released on August 9, 2005, debuted at number 1 with first week sales of 185,000 copies, and has spawned four moderately successful singles on rock radio. Its first single "Right Here" was the most successful at both rock and pop stations, and was used in a video package by World Wrestling Entertainment commemorating wrestler Edge after he won his first WWE Championship. "Falling", "Everything Changes" and "King of All Excuses" have also been released with accompanying videos.
Lead singer Aaron Lewis has stated that he thinks 'Chapter V is the best record the band has released to date', and the album continues the evolution from the messages on 14 Shades of Grey to messages of hope and uncertainty. It also showcases a heavier side to the band on selected tracks (reminiscent of some content on Dysfunction), and emphasizes a balance between both style of the band's sound. The album includes a track called "Paper Jesus" targeted at record company executives who idolize money instead of music and "Reply", an open letter replying to fan mail that Aaron Lewis and the rest of the band have received over the years (the original version can be found on the Special Edition).
Since its release, it has sold 1,200,000 copies in the United States and 1,500,000 worldwide. However, it marked Staind's lowest debut so far in the UK, at number 112. All the same, it was regarded as one of the most anticipated albums of the year in the U.S. before its release. A special edition, with five bonus tracks, an extra booklet and a DVD was released several months later. Even after a full year, it remained fairly consistent on the Billboard 200. Aaron Lewis has said in relation to this in the booklet of the Special Edition of the album: "Having three straight number one albums was a nice big fuck you to a lot of people who have slagged us. Nobody can ever take away that fact."
Staind have promoted the album by allowing selected fans to preview it on their tour bus, and touring after its release for a whole year, including mini tours to Australia and solo tours across Europe, as well as the famous Fall Brawl Tour with Flyleaf, Taproot and P.O.D. The band have also toured with 3 Doors Down, Hurt, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, and Seether (later cancelled) across the United States to promote the album.
Reception
Initial critical response ranged from mixed to average. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 48, based on 10 reviews.
The Illusion of Progress
Released August 19, 2008, Length 56:53, Label Flip/ Atlantic/ Roadrunner
1.This Is It 3:43
2.The Way I Am 4:18
3.Believe 4:17
4.Save Me 4:52
5.All I Want 3:30
6.Pardon Me 5:02
7.Lost Along the Way 4:20
8.Break Away 4:10
9.Tangled Up in You 4:35
10.Raining Again 3:53
11.Rainy Day Parade 4:17
12.The Corner 5:17
13.Nothing Left to Say 4:40
The Illusion of Progress is the sixth studio album by American rock band Staind. It was released on August 19, 2008. The Illusion of Progress was produced by Johnny K and recorded in lead singer Aaron Lewis' home studio, featuring the band's original line-up, including Mike Mushok (guitar), Jon Wysocki (drums, percussion) and Johnny April (bass, vocals). It debuted at #3 in the Billboard 200 with 91,800 units sold.
The lead single was "Believe", topping the Alternative Songs chart on September 13, 2008. It accumulated three weeks at number one.
The second single was "All I Want", came out on November 24. The video continued the story of the first single video and was available on Staind's Myspace on December 12. In Europe the second single was "The Way I Am", and its video was available on the Official Staind Website as of December 24. "This Is It" has been released as the last single off the album. The album has sold a little over 395,000 units in the United States.
Sound
Lewis commented, “We went into the studio with the mindset of making our heaviest record yet, but the record that came out has flavors of Pink Floyd and straight-up blues. We didn’t use the same rigs that we use onstage; we used all vintage guitars and amps, and I’m pretty psyched about it. The songs are pretty timeless in their texture.” The band calls the new project the “most musical CD” they’ve recorded to date.
Promotion
To promote the album, Staind treated their fans to a series of intimate, behind-the-scenes “webisodes” posted on staind.com, documenting their recording process. Staind also premiered the song "Believe" worldwide on U.S. station KYSR in Los Angeles. Staind also released the song, "This Is It", on iTunes early as a single. "This Is It" was released as a downloadable track for the video game Rock Band on July 29 for the Xbox 360 and July 31 for PlayStation 3. "This Is It" was also featured on the soundtrack for the 2009 film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
Reception
Initial critical response ranged from mixed to average. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 53, based on 13 reviews.
Staind
Released September 13, 2011, Length 42:10, Label Atlantic/ Roadrunner
1.Eyes Wide Open 3:30
2.Not Again 4:34
3.Failing 5:26
4.Wannabe 3:49
5.Throw It All Away 4:24
6.Take A Breath 3:56
7.The Bottom 4:15
8.Now 3:44
9.Paper Wings 4:23
10.Something To Remind You 4:07
Staind is the seventh studio album by rock band Staind, released on September 13, 2011. The album marks the return to Staind's heavier sound that was predominate on the earlier albums Tormented, Dysfunction, and Break the Cycle. It is also the last album to feature original drummer Jon Wysocki, as he departed from the band following the recording process in May 2011.
Background and pre-release
Many songs were released before the album's release date. The first single, "Not Again", was made available as a stream video on the band's official website on July 12, 2011. It was released to radio stations on July 19, 2011. "The Bottom" was released on the Transformers: Dark of the Moon soundtrack. Additionally, "Eyes Wide Open" was released on June 30, and the song "Paper Wings" was released on August 8.
The official video of "Not Again" premiered August 30, 2011. The single became a hit in the rock charts, having thus far peaked at #1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, #4 on the Rock Songs chart - where it stayed for 2 straight weeks, and #14 on the Alternative Songs chart. On September 15, Staind played a benefit concert for the September 11 victims and presented the new album. Eight of the ten total songs were performed, excluding "Take a Breath" and "Now".
The album debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200, with first sales week of 47,000 copies, making the fifth consecutive top-5 album for the band. As of October 15th, it has sold 72,000 copies.
