One must have first been illusioned when they reviewed the songs titles on The Illusion of Progress and thought it is going to be another angst-ridden guitar album.
Although The Illusion of Progress still contains some angst-ridden songs, they are overshadowed by the melodic overtones of others and it just really shows the progression of a band that has nothing else to really prove.
The Illusion of Progress is a really good album and should become platinum just like every other album that Staind has released with the exception of Tormented.
I guess Staind could strive for the impossible and try for a diamond album? If you “Believe” anything is possible. In fact, I would not be surprised if “Believe” becomes Staind’s most popular song to date. It might even be their best song ever but only time will tell that story. Not bad for a band that was once mischaracterized as devil worshippers.
The Illusion of Progress contains thirteen songs and was released on August 19, 2008 on Atlantic Records. If you were like some of us, you may have even pre-ordered the deluxe album on iTunes and received bonus songs of “The Truth and “Something Like Me.”
“Something Like Me” is not your typical Staind song that fans are used to. The song incorporates the melodramatic harmonies of the piano with a lower key guitar sound. You know what? I really enjoyed the change. I guess Staind was correct when they say “Everything Changes.”
If you are into a more bluesy song, you will want to listen to “The Corner” which incorporates several additional vocalists alongside Aaron Lewis. Could Staind incorporate anything else besides the piano and a more bluesy sound?
The answer is yes. On the song “Tangled Up in You,” you can hear the strings and orchestration, which will bring any person down into chill mode.
I listened to song by song and I really find it difficult to decide which song or songs would be the front-runner to the smashing success of “Believe.” Some of the potentials just might be the more melodic harmonies of “Something Like Me,” “The Corner,” “Tangled Up in You” and “The Truth.”
Or it might be the higher tempos of “This is It,” “The Way I Am,” “Save Me,” “All I Want,” “Pardon Me,” “Lost Along the Way,” “Raining Again” and “Nothing Left to Say.”
Currently, the front-runner is “This is It” followed by “The Corner” on Staind’s MySpace page.
Finally, I am looking forward to providing future coverage of Staind next time they perform in Chicago. If you enjoy Staind’s music or music with more of a melodic overtone, make sure you purchase The Illusion of Progress at iTunes or any store that sells their music. If you purchase the deluxe album now on iTunes, you will receive the bonus song “The Truth” and the entertaining video for “Believe.” Below is the album song list for The Illusion of Progress.
The Illusion of Progress:
1. “This is It”
2. “The Way I Am”
3. “Believe”
4. “Save Me”
5. “All I Want”
6. “Pardon Me”
7. “Lost Along the Way”
8. “Break Away”
9. “Tangled Up in You”
10. “Raining Again”
11. “Rainy Day Parade”
12. “The Corner”
13. “Nothing Left to Say”
The Illusion of Progress (Pre-Ordered Deluxe Edition):
14. “The Truth”
15. “Something Like Me”
akecker@alwaysacoustic.com
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The Illusion of Progress (Deluxe Version)