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  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
The Illusion Of Progress Image
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

  • Summary: Staind returns with its sixth album, produced by Johnny K.

Top Track

Tangled Up In You
You're my world The shelter from the rain You're the pills That take away my pain You're the light That helps me find my way You're the words When I... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Lewis and Staind sound as though they have emerged from a long, dark tunnel, and that kind of progress is more than just an illusion.
  2. Most of all, the music packs as much punch as ever--and more variety, as Staind sometimes departs from its rock-metal power ballads for tunes that suggest Pink Floyd and even Brit band Oasis in the chiming-guitar pop of 'All I Want.'
  3. The title of Staind's sixth album is a bit of a misnomer, but there are a few new stylistic directions here.
  4. One formula replaces another and another.
  5. Most of the time, though, the band sticks to its comfort zone, with songs that proceed through a sequence of genre clichés as Lewis howls out woe-is-me's and lists of grievances.
  6. Q Magazine
    40
    This solid--if unspectacular--sixth managed a very respectable Number 3 (on the Billboard charts). [Nov 2008, p.107]
  7. Urb
    20
    Their sixth album is an unlovely cocktail of faux-Cobain grunting, downtuned guitars and self-pity. [Nov 2008, p.119]

See all 8 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. TWard
    Sep 7, 2008
    10
    Not the same old hard staind, but Lewis' amazing voice and the bands better than average music makes this cd one of the best rock albums Not the same old hard staind, but Lewis' amazing voice and the bands better than average music makes this cd one of the best rock albums out there. Expand
  2. PeterF.
    Aug 20, 2008
    9
    Staind are always developing and this is an excellent new direction for them. I'll listen again and again.
  3. CurtW.
    Aug 29, 2008
    9
    I like the new direction the band has taken. They went into the studio with the intention of making a heavy album and walked out with this. I like the new direction the band has taken. They went into the studio with the intention of making a heavy album and walked out with this. The band would be selling out if they wrote music to appease "metal heads" instead of writing from the heart. I applaud the new approach and wish them the best. Collapse
  4. Sherry
    Sep 7, 2008
    9
    Staind rules period. No matter what, it always platinum. LOVE YOU GUYS!
  5. BrandonG
    Aug 21, 2008
    5
    Too generic pop sounding, they went from dark and meaningful to forgettable.