So I was on my way to college with my discman on (I always pick out a different cd for the ride to and back from college) and this time listening to something I hadn't touched in a while. Staind's cd titled "14 Shades of Grey"

I just wanted to pay tribute to this great band and their discography, and how through the years they have developed to be even better than when they started. I will particularily focus on this newest album. Every song is filled with heartfelt lyrics, that do no preach but show... They just tell a fundamental truth to human feelings. This band also stands as a great example to people who think a song can be heavy but not emotional or deep.

I love all the songs in this album but paticularily...the one that was specially dedicated:

"Zoe Jane"

well i want you to notice
to notice when i'm not around
and i know that your eyes see straight through me
and speak to me without a sound

[chorus]

i want to hold you
protect you from all of the things I've already endured
I want to show you
Show you all the things that this life has in store for you
I'll always love you
the way that a father should love his daughter

when i walked out this morning
i cried as i walked to the door
i cried about how long i'd be away for
i cried about leaving you all alone

[chorus]

sweet zoe jane [x2]

so i wanted to say this
cuz i wouldn't know where to begin
to explain to you what i have been through
to explain where your daddy has been

[chorus]

sweet zoe jane [x2]

---

On its own it might not seem like a whole lot, but if you listen to the song, and read the lyrics you will find a ladder to places where you never have been before. The deepest core to human feeling.

You know, I'm glad someone finally saw what I see in the band and especially in Aaron's lyrics. This album got alot of slack because it wasn't as heavy or angry as previous releases. However, that shows something. It shows that Aaron always writes from his heart, from his soul.

Back when "Tormented" and "Dysfunction" (album titles) were released, he was very angry about the people in his life. He was angry at his parents and angry at all the people who used him and then left him. When "Break the Cycle" came out, you saw some of the same content, but a much more mature approach. Songs like "Open Your Eyes" and "Can't Believe", however, focused on the world in general and how people so easily forget how lucky they really are.

Now, "14 Shades of Grey" is out and it's a masterpiece. SAome of you will hear a loud guitar riff and freak out and say its terrible stuff, but the music is only a small part of the band. Don't get me wrong, the band does a greta job of conveying the emotion of Aaron's lyrics, but Staind is different than most bands. Staind is about the lyrics. The earnest, heart felt, passion filled words spoken from Aaron's heart. There are still some angry songs, but his life is changing and so is he. He is happy now and his lyrics show it. Songs like "Zoe Jane" (dedicated to his daughter) and "Fill Me Up" (dedicated to his wife) and "Layne" (dedicated to lead singer of Alice in Chains) show that he is starting to feel love again. He is also questioning life now. No longer does he just let his anger get the best of him. Songs like "How About You", "So Far Away", and "Could It Be" show his contemplation of his paths in life.

All in all, this is an excellent album that I think everyone should listen to. I leave you with more Staind lyrics. This is from one of their latest singles "So Far Away":

I chose Zoe Jane specifically because it makes a mix between heavy riffs and heartfelt soft sung lyrics, and makes a killer combination of the 2. So Far Away is also a great hit, what am I saying, they are all great.

I agree with you bb..its all in the lyrics.

You know, that doesn't sound so bad even though I'm reading it with no emotion and I'm sure the lyrics song by the Staind make it better. Although I don't think I enjoy listening to songs very much that apply to my life, it makes me feel the opposite of what it should to many people.

blah im sorry i dont meen to diss your opinion but i have read far bet lyrics and staind hasnt done anything for me sense there first cd i dont like them any more though i can say staind was the first rock cd that i ever purchased and thus brought me to the 200 more i have, its just ive grown beyond that into other and what i see is better areas of the genre

i also can say that www.theprp.com helped alot too

This isn't a thread about sites/bands you may like besides staind. start your own thread for that. If you have nothing constructive to say, don't say it.

to be honset and all that was constructive and it wasnt of topic and you really seem to be very negative, the only down side i find to this site

im sure you meant it in the best of ways but please let us not be agressive and lets stay on topic.

as i said, this topic is a tribute to Staind. Any comments deviating from a tribute should stay away from this post. If u want to know more about staind, u are more than welcome to post here but negative comments don't aid in the understanding adn appreciation of the band for which a tribute is for.

lol i know bb..ive been listening to it like mad lately...i love the way he composes the choruses best.

I have to agree that the lyrics kick ass. But, it wouldn't be the same if the music wasn't just as good to back it up. Every thing about staind rocks.

PS- This is my first post, and I joined just to say that I like Staind.

amazing how one post can be so powerful. I do hope we see ya around in other posts however Lukavich. Indeed Staind's music is also powerful, powerful sounds must accompany powerful lyrics.

whats the use of this post? Does it further the progress of the topic? Stop wasting other people's time

-Deftone