Lines pledge devotion (“Right Here”), urge a fallen soul to “get back up” (“Falling”) and seek to repair a troubled romance (“Everything Changes”). The strongest cut is “Reply,” which finds the singer thanking a loved one for patience and support. Amid lots of dysfunction and lyrical obscurity, the band manages to possess a healthy self-awareness …
… even if it sometimes leads to despairing “Schizophrenic Conversations.” That cut and “Please” use the f-word. The latter is a profane rant at an unidentified figure for selling out the artist and refusing to accept him for who he is. “The King of All Excuses” alludes to karma. Despite its bootstrap approach to overcoming trials, that song pessimistically chastises someone for expecting help (“Are you waiting for someone to rescue you from yourself?/Don’t be disappointed when no one comes … Don’t blame me you didn’t get it”). “Paper Jesus” is a cryptic appeal to avoid surrendering oneself to authority and “all the things they choose to feed you”—not a big deal except that the title could imply that the church is that exploitative force.
Staind’s fifth release is a mass of raging transparency. Lead singer Aaron Lewis lays out his fears, questions, psychoses and convictions. What’s lacking is hope. A handful of f-words only makes matters worse.
After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.
