Staind
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Staind has become one of the most recognizable names in modern rock. The Massachusetts-based rock outfit has dominated the airwaves like few bands of this millennium or any other. Some of the group’s boasts include debuting number #1 on the Billboard charts for three consecutive albums—a feat accomplished only by five other groups, and releasing ten top ten singles (four of which earned the number one position).
The group’s use of chorus lines and memorable lyrics of a personal nature proved widely accessible seven years ago with the release of their breakout album Break the Cycle, and still hook listeners today. Their lyrics always related an artful quality, yet the metaphors and similes are not beyond the reach of the average listener.
Staind’s newest album The Illusion of Progress conveys a title sure to continue the group’s lyrically-profound tradition. This title will most likely elicit various interpretations, as will many of the song titles such as the rain-themed “Rainy Day Parade” and “Raining Again.” With or without being in tune with the album’s deeper meanings, its pure musical sensibilities will never be beyond the grasp of its listener.
The Illusion of Progress contains many firsts for the band. Guitarist Mike Mushok put aside his signature baritone guitar in favor of a standard guitar for writing and recording. Mushok also creates guitar solos for the first time. Mushok’s bluesy rhythms on The Illusion of Progress pay tribute to rock’s roots, often nodding to rock legends such as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.
On the day of the album’s debut (August 19th), vocalist Aaron Lewis spoke to Blistering.com about the above ideas and more concerning Staind’s newest opus.
Blistering.com: The Illusion of Progress retains the trademark Staind sound, but there seems to be some new elements. Please tell our readers about these elements and how you crafted them.
Aaron Lewis: As far as the new elements go, it’s not new elements, it’s old: old guitar, old amplifiers and classic, recognizable tones.
Blistering.com: You also made a statement about it being your most musical album.
Lewis: Yep, for a lot of the same reasons. From the time we spent in the studio layering and adding different textures to the songs, it’s just a good musical collection of songs.
Blistering.com: Were these new elements planned?
Lewis: No, not at all! We went into the studio thinking we were going to write the heaviest record we’ve written yet, and we started writing songs and these were the songs that came out. It really wasn’t ignorable. We couldn’t throw away all the songs on the record because they weren’t heavy, so it was just the opposite going into it.
Blistering.com: You also stated this was the first time you took a political stance on a song.
Lewis: It’s not the first time I’ve written a song that was politically derived. For this song, and for where I was at, I’m just really sick of hearing people complain about this country! This is an amazing country! It’s not a political statement as far as left or right or blue or red, Democrat/Republican; it’s more of “I love this country. This is a great country!” Let’s do what we need to do to fix it, put it back to the original game plan that worked so well for the hundreds of years up till now.
Blistering.com: What track do you make that statement?
Lewis: That would be “Rainy Day Parade.”
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