When recording Staind's upcoming release, The Illusion of Progress, frontman Aaron Lewis planned to make the band's heaviest record to date.

That didn't happen.

"It's not necessarily a heavy record, which is very odd because going into the studio that's what I expected and wanted it to be," said Lewis, chatting via phone from his Massachusetts home. "There are glimpses of heavy in parts, but it's all over the musical spectrum."

To say this new album is one of the most anticipated of the year in rock is no exaggeration. Staind, in a sense, is the archetypal post-grunge, hard rock group. Aaron Lewis, with his pain-soaked vocals, is one of the most recognizable voices in the '90s/early '00s alt-music oasis of guys like Eddie Vedder and Maynard Keenan. Frankly, anyone who hasn't heard tracks like "Outside," "It's Been A While" and "For You" needs to question their modern rock credibility.

So what else should we expect from the Johnny K-produced The Illusion of Progress, out Aug. 19? Oddly enough, in this era of iTunes and the death of the classic album, Staind is bringing something of a concept disc - a set of songs that could and should be listened to as a whole.

"Every song on the record in one way applies to the illusion of progress," Lewis said. "It's not a concept album. It was never intended to be a concept album. But if you go and listen to the songs, it could almost be considered a concept."

The album boasts the single, "Believe." When asked, Lewis is hesitant to talk about the meaning behind the ballad.

"Telling somebody what the song is about is kind of like telling someone what happens at the end of movie before they've gone to see it."

Sonically, Lewis says the album is broader than anything Staind has done before: "There's some blues, there's a song with a gospel choir, there's a completely acoustic song, some jazziness and some old school, straight-up rock."

Lyrically, it's emotion-drenched.

How does Lewis, a man known for wearing his heart on his tattooed sleeve, conjure up new emotions to bring album after album?

"If you start thinking about stuff like that, next thing you know stuff stops coming out," he said. "... I close my eyes, lick my lips and go at it. I don't have to find a place. I live in that place.

"I don't really know where it comes from. Everything around me is inspirational in a good way or a bad way."

This will be Staind's sixth studio album. The outfit formed in Springfield, Mass., in the mid-'90s and blew up when Aaron Lewis performed the song "Outside" with Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst on The Family Values Tour in 1999. That live recording was plastered on rock stations across the nation.

Call it fate, but Lewis wasn't even supposed to play "Outside" that night.

"Ten minutes before we hit the stage, I asked Fred (Durst) what he thought about me doing a different acoustic song at the end of that night ..." said Lewis. "He was like, 'Why don't you do the song we were messing around with in my basement at my house? If you do that song, I'll come out and I'll sing the choruses with you.'"

"I thought, 'That's an insurance policy,'" he said, chuckling. "We were the first band of five bands to play on the Family Values Tour and nobody knew who we were. It was quite the opportunity."

The problem? Lewis hadn't written the entire song yet; just the riffs and chorus.

"I went back to my dressing room and went into full panic mode ... I could have just as easily crashed and burned versus what actually happened."

Beautiful article Lisa thank you.

Whats really makes me hype is this part:

quote:

To say this new album is one of the most anticipated of the year in rock is no exaggeration.

I really wish the guys to score their number 4 album on the top of the charts and make hystory.
If one bands deserve it upon all, its certanly this one.

every time I hear any story linking to that famous outside song allways makes me smile

oh and i recon some people will start going on about heavy album lol

good article

quote:

Originally posted by Skull:
every time I hear any story linking to that famous outside song allways makes me smile

oh and i recon some people will start going on about heavy album lol

good article

I hope the entire album is "Believe" and 11 or 12 remastered versions of "Believe", just so I can be entertained by the unending whining from the angsty kiddies who want their angered Mr. Lewis back.

For the record, I would love each and every version of 'Believe' if they were to ever take such an idea seriously ha ha ha

quote:

Originally posted by Jdanek630:

quote:

Originally posted by Skull:
every time I hear any story linking to that famous outside song allways makes me smile

oh and i recon some people will start going on about heavy album lol

good article

I hope the entire album is "Believe" and 11 or 12 remastered versions of "Believe", just so I can be entertained by the unending whining from the angsty kiddies who want their angered Mr. Lewis back.

For the record, I would love each and every version of 'Believe' if they were to ever take such an idea seriously ha ha ha

in some ways, I do, in other ways, i dont lol

ive seen it before, the "SID metal" band Machinae Supremacy (for teh record, SID is basicly synthesithers using an old commadore game chip for sound instead) every time they make an album all the fans give the same thing. "needs moar SID" in reference to the fact some believe they dont have enough.

The same is going with staind the the heavy atm, some people, well a few are going "needs moar heavyness" and its annoying, cant people enjoy the end product? jesus its the same fucking band but they cant please 51% of the people [ive said that before....]


oh, and the crisis with machinae supremacy was sorted out by the lead singer on the forums, maybe its an omen for us

*gasps* maybe it means jonny will return!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Jdanek630:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Skull:
every time I hear any story linking to that famous outside song allways makes me smile

oh and i recon some people will start going on about heavy album lol



I hope the entire album is "Believe" and 11 or 12 remastered versions of "Believe", just so I can be entertained by the unending whining from the angsty kiddies who want their angered Mr. Lewis back.

For the record, I would love each and every version of 'Believe' if they were to ever take such an idea seriously ha ha ha

FUCKIN CLASSIC POST TOO FUCKIN FUNNY

thanks for posting lisa. great article.



"i dont have to find a place. i live in that place."


god, this is why i can relate to the man so much. great quote.

I love this article. It gives you enought aht you just want a little more. This album is going to be worth the wait in my opinion...

Lisa...I know you were talking about how "The Corner" is going to be the best song on the album...I know you also said that it was the most emotional song ever, or something along those lines.... My guess is that the completely acoustic song is going to be that...I just have that feeling...

With all the negative posts on this board as of lately, its sad...We should be happy that a band that has helped us all in some way physically, emotional, and spiritually is still actually making music. I'm happy with the direction Staind has gone. Over time, things DO change...


Damn...Aug 19th seems so long away...

quote:

Originally posted by slyman:

With all the negative posts on this board as of lately, its sad...We should be happy that a band that has helped us all in some way physically, emotional, and spiritually is still actually making music. I'm happy with the direction Staind has gone. Over time, things DO change...


Damn...Aug 19th seems so long away...

Agreed^

quote:

Originally posted by LEFTYJLAJ:

"i dont have to find a place. i live in that place."

that one definitely stuck out for me too.

me and you.



im pointing at my eyes....



.....and now yours.