Break the Cycle [PA] by Staind

Why This CD Joined My Collection
Staind has qualified as my favorite band for quite some time now. On the weekend before this CD was released, I seen Staind perform at a concert for a local radio station. I knew then that I had to have this CD in my hands as soon as possible.


The Songs
Open Your Eyes starts off Break The Cycle. It's one of those "look at how life really is" reality-type songs. Not bad although I would have expected much more emotion from Staind in a song like this. The musical style is pretty typical for them.

Pressure seems more like the Staind we are used to. It's about (as if the title did not give it away) too much pressure. The music is not as hard as it could have been, but not too bad.

Fade brings all that emotion that I love to hear from them. It's about someone not being there from him. I have heard that this is about a friend or a girlfriend, although I think it's about his father. It's a great song and follows what I call thier "new" style.

It's Been Awhile comes next, making me tremble with so much emotion. This has to be Stainds' best song. Even after the constant air-play, I can not hear it enough. Friends yell at me cause I'll leave it on repeat in the car forever. If you have never heard this song, I would buy the CD just for this. I think everyone could relate.

Change follows, and though I don't think any song could follow the last and even compare, Change does a horrible job. The lyrics are great. In fact, I love them so much I almost considered putting them on my wall. But the music is much too slow and doesn't fit at all.

Can't Believe brings the sound of the Staind we knew on Dysfunction. There seems to be three different meanings all mixed up in the song. But the music is a bit harder and that's the way I like it.

Epiphany is back to that "new" style I think they are going for now. It works well for them though. Slow and deep can be good. Very good. Great lyrics with good slow music ehind to give that "deep and emotional" feel.

Suffer is a bit harder. It reminds me of Open Your Eyes a lot. A bit too slow for the lyrics. Not too bad, but nothing great.

Safe Place seems to be a mix of the "old" style and the "new" style. It's about being on the road and trying to ease the pain. Nothing great.

For You is that "old" style again. It's a song to his parents. The lyrics are all right - the music is all right - there's just nothing unique about it.

Outside, with the lack of Fred Durst, follows. This song also makes me tremble with emotion. Slow and deep. Aaron's voice can send chills all over my body. Definitely one of the best on the CD and from Staind.

Waste comes next with a perfect blend of thier different styles. It's about suicide. There's a part of it that I absoutely love. "Did Daddy not love you? Or did he love you just too much? Did he control you? Did he live through you at your cost? Did he leave no question for you to answer on your own? Well F them, and F her, and F him. And F you for not having the strength in your heart to pull through. I've had doubts, I have failed, I've F'd up, I've had plans, doesn't mean I should take my life with my own hands."

Take It finishes off Break The Cycle. It's Aaron's advice to all his fans. A great way to finish the album.


Advantages
For being one of the first so many to buy this CD at a local record store, I got an autographed booklet. Way cool. There is also a bonus track of an acoustic It's Been Awhile. Plus - the biggest advantage - to listen to It's Been Awhile and Outside over and over and over.


Disadvantages
I was expecting more of the "old" Staind sound, which I didn't get much of. They seem to be headed in a new direction. Don't get me wrong, I'll always be a fan, but I'd love to see (I mean hear) more of a harder side.


When I Jam To This
Whenever I have a chance and the people I am with dont mind hearing it over and over and over.