Was just flipping thru the newest People Magazine and they have a brief review of TIOP:

"These alt-metalheads don't display much progress on their latest. What's worse, though, is that they don't rock out much either, going heavy on power ballads. At least the country-tinged 'Tangled Up In You' stands out."

Those fucktards only gave it 2 stars.

They must not have been listening to the same cd we've all been listening too.

Fucking Losers!

I call that bullshit.

I call that some moron that obviously doesn't have very good taste in music.

Evil little writer man!

Most of the reviews only gave it 2 to 2 1/2 stars. All the reviews I read sounded like the same reviews from Chapter V. I think they just changed the date on them to 8/19 and didn't even give it a listen. FUCK EM!

^^ Yeah what Lisa said.. Fuck'em

Wow I can't believe that.. nothing higher than 2 1/2 stars. That is BS.

This album has had a very polarizing effect on listeners: either people are absolutely adoring this album or really taking massive dumps on it. Amazon is likewise: quite a few critical reviews, and quite a few praising reviews. Here's one uplifting review for everyone to read, since we seem to only be hearing about the belittling reviews on these boards lately!

DISCLAIMER: This review is NOT written by me nor anyone else on the Staind boards (as far as I know)

::

Is this progress really an illusion?, August 21, 2008
By Andrew Ellington (Mulholland Drive) - See all my reviews

Things are going very well for Staind. Professionally they are selling out stadiums and churning out hit after hit, selling albums like crazy. It becomes apparent though after listening to just the first track off their latest studio effort, `The Illusion of Progress', that personally they are doing pretty good as well. Yes, Staind's trademark lyrical message of depression and misery has been masked over for the most part, revealing a softer and more content side to the band. I personally am not apposed to this new side of the band (to be honest though, they've been headed here for some time now).

I have been a loyal fan of the band since the first time I heard `Mudshuvel', and I will remain one until they are no more.

I guess the best place to start is at the beginning. `This is It' immediately lets the audience know that this is a brand new Staind. The lyrical message is one of peace and contentment and the musicality is much more melodic and inviting than their previous work. The abrasive nature of their earlier music has been stripped away to reveal a brighter and softer surface, one that Aaron sinks right into. His voice has always been better suited for the uplifting and melodic musical offerings anyways. Another track that sports this construction is `All I Want', which I absolutely adore. It is completely removed from anything I would have ever thought would come out of this band that I just can't help but become enamored by it.

`Believe', this first single off the album, is a good song and I can see why they chose it as a single (for it captures the new direction the band is taking) but I can't really say that it is my favorite choice. Sure, it is a decent song and Aaron's vocals (especially on the bridge) are flawless, but when stacked up against their previous singles it just doesn't `stack up'.

`Lost Along the Way' is beautifully constructed, with intriguing guitar work and melodic vibes and an explosively pristine chorus that just begs the listener to sing along. `Raining Again' (which opens like Heart's `Alone') is probably the closest the album will see to the old Staind, lyrics wise, and it proves that the bands lives are not `perfect', even if they are considerably happier. It's also another track that uses Lewis' vocals to their utmost potential. When Aaron is pushed to his limits he gives me chills, and plenty of the tracks on this album allow him to do that.

`Pardon Me' was one of the first songs on the album that made me really sit up and take notice. It calls to mind Bob Seger, especially the verses, and it actually sent chills across my skin. It's a beautiful song of redemption and forgiveness and even quilt, and it just works magic on the listening ear. `Break Away' is probably the heaviest track on the album (this will upset fans of `Dysfunction' since this track is not technically `heavy') and it feels right. Aaron's screaming is more like yelling and sounds matured from his `Dysfunction' antics. I've always been a fan of his screaming voice, but at this point in their career his yelling here seems more appropriate. `Rainy Day Parade' is Staind's step into the political boat that every other band broaches these days. It works, but it never truly lifts off in my opinion.

`The Corner' is a beautiful song that just seems to glide over the eardrums like silk. Aaron just settles into this groove magically. The additional vocals get a little overwhelming towards the end, especially when considering that Aaron outsings all of them, but their inclusion is not enough to downplay the greatness of this very emotional and inspirational song.

Aaron Lewis has always made it a point to include at least one acoustic track, just Aaron and a guitar, and since listening to `Excess Baggage' (or more pointedly `Epiphany') it has been a facet of Staind's albums that I look forward to immensely. For `The Illusion of Progress' that said track is the beautifully touching `Tangled Up in You'. Aaron's voice is so soothing and calm, and the simple yet moving lyrics and musical arrangement only help to embellish his voice. Whether the song is about his daughters or his wife it doesn't matter for the words are touching and sincere and are easy for the listener to apply to those in his or her own life.

`The Way I Am' is one of my least favorite tracks on the album, not because it is bad but simply because I can't help but see areas in which I would have improved upon (especially with the chorus). It has its good moments (I love the way the song opens) but it is not as tight and polished as it should have been. `Save Me' is another track that just doesn't work for me, more so than `The Way I Am'. It just doesn't seem to offer much at all. I was really intrigued by the opening guitar work, but the style in which the song is sung and the meandering chorus put me off quickly.

The album's title, `The Illusion of Progress' is a very apt title, although I would make one minor adjustment and add a question mark to the title, making it read `The Illusion of Progress?' because the bands progress in general is all in the eye of the beholder and will most likely spark heated debate. Fans who adored the aggression and anger filled lyrics and musicality that fueled their early work like `Tormented' and `Dysfunction' may find themselves up in arms about the new direction the band has taken, but for those of us who have come to appreciate the band Staind has become, we can sink right into this new offering. Truth be told, Staind has been trying to find themselves since they appeared on the music scene, and somewhere between `Dysfunction' and `Chapter V' they did just that, and `The Illusion of Progress' further proves that this is where Staind feels most comfortable.

I am in the minority when I say that Staind started off strong, sunk low and then gradually has built themselves back up. I adore everything about `Dysfunction' (and even `Tormented' to an extent), but I feel that `Break the Cycle' was a step down (a few at that) for the band. They just didn't seem comfortable with their sound. They were trying to mix the melodic with the heavy and it was coming off distant and unnatural for them. `14 Shades of Grey' was a step up from there, but it wasn't until `Chapter V' was released that Staind was able to define the band they really wanted to be. If you look at `Chapter V' as their definitive album then `The Illusion of Progress' feels right, very right.

The closing track `Nothing Left to Say' is brilliant, musically and lyrically just brilliant. All I have to say is that I hope Staind never runs out of things to say.

Wow thanks Jay for sharing that.. nice to see good things being written as well. To me the CD is brilliant and lyrically/ musically unbelievable.

It's in my CD player in my car and that is where it's staying for a very long time!

Man, FUCK People magazine. I wouldn't even wipe the sweat off my nuts with that rag.

agreed lol.