Hydrograd
by Stone Sour
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
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  1. Kiely
    Jun 30, 2017
    7
    Hydrograd is a very good album, I'm hesitant to call it great as some track leave a lot to be desired. The singles they released before the album are by far the tracks that stand out the most but others like Rose Red Violent Blue and St. Marie really showcase Taylor's vocals and solidifies him as one of the best at he does. Although the new lead guitarist does a great job, he is no JimHydrograd is a very good album, I'm hesitant to call it great as some track leave a lot to be desired. The singles they released before the album are by far the tracks that stand out the most but others like Rose Red Violent Blue and St. Marie really showcase Taylor's vocals and solidifies him as one of the best at he does. Although the new lead guitarist does a great job, he is no Jim Root, he doesn't have any really memorable riffs in the album where Root has had multiple in each of their previous with songs like Absolute Zero and 30/30-150. The rhythm guitar and Drums are used to great effect but the bass feels lacking as well. The Album also feels a little long and towards the end it felt a little repetitive with some tracks that sound recycled. All in all, I liked Hydrograd a lot but I wouldn't hold it as high as Come What[ever] May or HOGAB Part 1 but more at the standards of their self titled and Audio Secrecy.… Expand
  2. Thunder7ga
    Jul 3, 2017
    7
    Solid Stone Sour album, with some really good songs. Song #3 will be a hit while The Witness Trees, Hydrograd, Mercy, Thank God It's Over, and St. Marie should get some airplay as well eventually. My least favorite song was the first single Fabuless.
  3. Wartech
    Jun 30, 2017
    10
    This album is the perfect example of what most other modern rock bands lack. It was performed live, it's diverse, and more importantly, the band is not afraid of calling it a rock album, which is something sadly a lot of younger groups seem genuinely averse to. Despite its enormous diversity, every song bleeds into the next completely seamlessly, it's as if you can hear how much fun theyThis album is the perfect example of what most other modern rock bands lack. It was performed live, it's diverse, and more importantly, the band is not afraid of calling it a rock album, which is something sadly a lot of younger groups seem genuinely averse to. Despite its enormous diversity, every song bleeds into the next completely seamlessly, it's as if you can hear how much fun they had recording this record, and how organic the writing process was. This is what you get when you write together.

    I've played this thing 10 times already, it's replayability is ridiculous, 10/10, it checks off everything an album should be.    … Expand
  4. PapaEmeritus
    Jul 2, 2017
    6
    Corey Taylor said that this album was like "Capturing lightning in a bottle". So yeah, he either flat out lied or doesn't even know what that means. Capturing lightning in a bottle is like GNR's Appetite for Destruction, or AC/DC's Back in Black, or Metallica's Master of Puppets. This album isn't even close to that level of greatness. It's not even good. It's barely above average at best.
  5. swkotlas
    Jul 4, 2017
    10
    Гидроград это совершенно новая глава в творчестве данного коллектива. Невооруженным глазом видно, что группа брала за основу классическое рок звучание прошлых "золотых" лет это великого жанра. Такая ретроспектива получилась довольно интересной, конечно вы скажите, что это совершенно другой Stone Sour, но он заслуживает того, чтобы вы его прослушали несколько раз, ибо после того, как вы егоГидроград это совершенно новая глава в творчестве данного коллектива. Невооруженным глазом видно, что группа брала за основу классическое рок звучание прошлых "золотых" лет это великого жанра. Такая ретроспектива получилась довольно интересной, конечно вы скажите, что это совершенно другой Stone Sour, но он заслуживает того, чтобы вы его прослушали несколько раз, ибо после того, как вы его прослушаете 2 й и 3 й раз, он заиграет с новыми красками.… Expand
  6. Maervok
    Jul 2, 2017
    8
    "I am a rock'n'roll Han Solo." - this quote from Somebody Stole My Eyes describes Corey Taylor quite well. Fabuless and Song #3 are undoubtedly striking singles which have been drawing attention from the moment of their release and luckily for us they are not the only outstanding songs of the album. Previously mentioned Somebody Stole My Eyes is just as aggressive as you want it to be and"I am a rock'n'roll Han Solo." - this quote from Somebody Stole My Eyes describes Corey Taylor quite well. Fabuless and Song #3 are undoubtedly striking singles which have been drawing attention from the moment of their release and luckily for us they are not the only outstanding songs of the album. Previously mentioned Somebody Stole My Eyes is just as aggressive as you want it to be and I personally rate it as the album's best song. Other songs worth mentiong are Knievel Has Landed, Mercy, St. Marie and Friday Knights. Besides the striking songs Hydrograd also delivers some amusing/confusing song titles and it is definitely one of the most impressive Stone Sour's albums.… Expand
  7. DuckManDrake
    Jul 4, 2017
    8
    An album you might not fall in love with after one listen through, however it will definitely grow on you. There is undoubtedly lots of new sounding songs on this album like the border-line country song St.Marie, but overall it still feels very much like a Stone Sour album, which is a good thing. The new things they try rarely don't work and the things we expect to be good rock! OneAn album you might not fall in love with after one listen through, however it will definitely grow on you. There is undoubtedly lots of new sounding songs on this album like the border-line country song St.Marie, but overall it still feels very much like a Stone Sour album, which is a good thing. The new things they try rarely don't work and the things we expect to be good rock! One complaint I have seen is the feeling they might be leaning to a more radio friendly sound, which could be true, but besides Song #3 I don't think there is anything that feels like a real effort to be modern radio rock. Somebody Stole My Eyes doesn't only stand out as the most kick @ss song on the album it might be one of their most kick @ss songs ever. Friday Knights is reminiscent of Cardiff in my mind, it sounds like Cardiff on acid. The absence of Root is noticed and his style will be missed, however that's not to say there has been a downgrade, I mean there is tons of excellent guitar on this album! Picking each song apart there are a couple that stand out, but like I usually find the strength once again lies in listening to the album as a whole. Once you dive into listening to Stone Sour it rarely feels like you are listening to a collection of songs, but rather a real journey of music.... one big epic song. Their last album ended with a rocking song that leaves you feeling pumped up at the end, while this one raps of with a slow eerie song that feels like a real dark sequel to Zzyzx Rd. After listening from start to finish a couple times this album pleases the ears across the board, yes it may be long and yes not everything works, but it's certainly a well crafted c.d that shows a ton of creativity, passion and talent. New Stone Sour is always a treat!… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Kerrang!
    Jul 5, 2017
    80
    Hydrograd is an altogether looser, more accessible creation. [24 Jun 24, 2017, p.50]
  2. Rock Sound
    Jun 30, 2017
    60
    The frontman sounds great as ever, as on the powerful ‘Fabuless’ and ‘The Witness Trees’, but his usual conviction isn’t as present and the album feels largely colourless.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Jun 30, 2017
    70
    Recorded live in the studio with Jay Ruston (Steel Panther, Anthrax, the Donnas), the sprawling 15-track set, which clocks in at just over an hour, can feel a little unruly, but there's more than enough meat here to make a proper sandwich.
    Read full review
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