Album Review: Staind - The Illusion of Progress
In reference to the ‘angry white boy’ statement made in my Guilty Pleasure article a while back, there was a time when I would have paid $15 to buy Break The Cycle by Staind.
Despite the power of Dysfunction’s “Mudshovel” or Break the Cycle’s over played single, “Outside” - it is safe to say that the 90s was the peak of Aaron Lewis’ melancholy rock ensemble known as Staind.
After trying a more positive approach with certain tracks on 14 Shades Of Gray, and even coming up with a few good tracks, it has still become an ever difficult chore to stomach the most recent sounds produced by Staind. Nevertheless, there was a rumor that their latest installment, morosely entitled The Illusion Of Progress, would be their best yet.
The biggest letdown? The title stands to prove what Staind has really shown - an illusion of progress.
The first half of the Massachuett natives’ sixth studio album comes off like a band trying any desperate attempt they can to remain current and fresh radio-play regulars. Aaron Lewis’ lyrics seem generic, lacking the passion previously found on their first few albums up until Chapter V.
Everyone who has listened to the song “Believe” might agree that it sounds maddeningly similar to their single “Right Here”, but with a lighter tone. Granted, I know that bands who have been around a while run that risk, however if it all starts to come off as formulaic, then one must draw a line.
When we last heard Staind, they had touched back on their roots again and managed to at least churn out some powerful message-laden music (listen to “Paper Jesus” and “Reply”). This album shows a band that has officially run its course, and not a minute too soon - or in fact, probably 3 or 4 years too late.
While the opening track, “This Is It” proves Staind can crank up epic velocity in radio rock, the song “The Way I Am” is sophomoric poetry at best, with a simple “the way I am is the way I am” finishing off the chorus via adolescent extremes.
The third track, and the first single, “Believe” - well, we already know how that turned out. After surging through the unimportant muck of “All I Want” and “Save Me”, we get towards the last half where a couple of stand-outs are in fact present. Take “Lost Along The Way”. It is inherently Staind, and even has elements of early 90s alternative (save for Aaron Lewis’ distinctly glum vocals).
Another upside? “Break Away” is actually the one really good song on here, and if you get the bonus edition, you’re graced with yet ANOTHER acoustic version of “It’s Been Awhile” (as if that song could be any more depressing).
However, by the album’s next track, the quality again is nonexistent, again giving way to another IDENTICAL chorus, another useless attempt by Staind to impress. In the end, the broken record styles eliminate any trace of decency, ultimatly causing the The Illusion of Progress to pretty much fail miserably.
Honestly, if an album stands to be worthwhile on some level, it has to be remotely memorable - and there is no essence of such a notion present on The Illusion of Progress. The whole thing blurs together nonchalantly, as if to say “Here’s another record for our checklist.”
Words of wisdom - it’s better to burn out than to fade away.
Rating: 
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O yeah !! do you really think that stain hat no more than Break the cycle??? c’mon go to heard Tormented and Dysfunction… for me Staind is really back with The illusion
regards
PAko
I’m glad you appear to be open-minded about not only Staind as a band, but other groups you mentioned as well.
I’ll give you this. This review was better than most of the ones Rolling Stone reviewers write about albums in this genre. This one, ostensibly, did not involve a pompous overly biased reviewer with a Nirvana/Tool superiority complex calling a band “hackneyed” or “Kurt worshippers”. You actually bothered to point out what stood out to you and what you thought needed work.
I’ve been a Staind fan for a very long time (jeeze, about 8 years now) and I can admit they’ve regressed since BTC. However, I like how Mushok gets more opportunities now to show off his skillful guitar work and Lewis’s voice can still carry a song methinks.
Couldn’t agree more about Nickelback. I haven’t been able to stand them since Silver Side Up either.
I’ll see if I can find some more of your reviews.
I believe that are part of the same so-called movement that brought about a lot of similar sounding bands post-grunge. Even in most circles, I’ve seen Nickelback labeled as ‘post-grunge’.
They all have influences in Pearl Jam, certainly - not nearly as much in Nirvana. As over-rated as I think Cobain actually was (I know that comment will piss someone off), I truly like both bands and I am happy they gave other groups the means to be successful.
I don’t necessarily see them as blatant rip-offs (although T.O.A.D. sound a lot like Nickelback, and current Staind a lot like everything else out now in their genre, including Daughtry), the worst part is honestly Hinder and Daughtry.
They have zero possibility of sticking around in the long run, I can almost guarantee it.
15 minutes up, right about…
My bad but you honestly don’t here nirvana or pearl jam in there music. There’s a way to tastefully steal from an artist but the band i listed sound like Pearl Jam with down syndrome.
I can’t think of how to compare Staind, early Creed, or early Nickelback to Hinder and Daughtry.
Daughtry sounds like regurgitated 3 Doors Down, and Hinder is comprised of some wannabe ‘bad asses’ with sensitive sides (which is also reminiscent of T.O.A.D.)
Staind had a good run, but their time is definitely up.
Creed was fine until Stapp gained some messiah complex. I can accept/promote a Christian rock band (or a band comprised of people with faith in anything), but I don’t like it thrown in the fans’ face by someone contradicts his statements by being an outright drunken ass.
Nickelback? Well, I admire their early ability to tell wicked stories in song. Up until after Silver Side Up, each song seemed to be an individual entity. Now, it all just sounds alike to me.
By the way, I don’t appreciate the Kindergarten-like name calling. It isn’t at all necessary.
Staind sucks and the fans here who think this shitty album was gonna get a good review are completely retarded. Try and find a serious music news source that gives this album or any staind album not named “break the cycle” that gets a positive review. They’re just one of the hundreds of bands that made career’s out of Pearl Jam and Nirvana. Here’s lookin at Creed, Nickleshit,Hinder, Daughtrey and all the other terrible shit that sounds exactly the same as them.
This is something I’ll make abundantly clear.
Chart success does not equate to quality albums. Just because an album made the top ten does not immediately state it a classic or even a very good album.
I agree with Travis in the respect that everyone’s opinion IS different, and articles like this are to encourage people to speak. The production was well-managed, although I must say I think Chapter V was better to me.
One should also note that Break The Cycle is the equivalent to The Offspring’s Smash. You can call it their peak, but we all know every band has their signature work and it need not be constantly compared.
THAT was Staind’s signature work.
My least favorite in their overall catalog is this one and 14 Shades - because honestly, neither one really sounded like true Staind to me. They appear to be changing with the trends, not the times.
Well this is what I must say about this.
Staind has 3 #1 albums
This album almost making it up there as well.
Get some better critics.
Kthx.
Everyone’s opinion on music is different.
But i have to disagree. Not because i’m a die hard fan in denial. Because when ChapterV came out i was pretty let down. And I will admit, nothing staind has come out with since compares remotely to break the cycle.
But The Illusion of Progress is an amazing CD, in my opinion. The only thing i didnt like about it was the fact they didnt use their usual staind logo on the front. The editing and production on this cd is much more noticeable and i think its a welcomed addition. Hopefully they crank out one more CD before they call it quits.
you guys are not any fans of staind i can tell ive read and heard for months ohh!! staind they suck now they went all soft i even read were a person said 1996-2001 well staind i can assure you is not dead but well alive and kicking ALSO Staind has matured with their sound as well as themselves as people Staind just happend to be my fav band and they are the best band in the history of rock music! so FU too all the haters!!!
Staind has sucked since day one. Talk about a typical cookie cutter rock band with more cliches you can shake a microphone at!
They’re also the product of the 1990’s worst product ever, Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit. All these bands need to enjoy early retirement and get the hell out of here!
I was sort of looking forward to this album with a crazy hope that they would come back to their Break the Cycle days, but this really is a bit of a let down. Oh well, they all run their course.