Track Listing

1. Run Away
2. Right Here
3. Paper Jesus
4. Schizophrenic Conversations
5. Falling
6. Cross To Bear
7. Devil
8. Please
9. Everything Changes
10. Take This
11. King Of All Excuses
12. Reply

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6216 in Music
• Released on: 2005-08-08
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
The fifth album from Staind sees this Fred Durst-sponsored New England post-grunge quartet continue to delve the depths of their tortured psyche with Biblical seriousness: quite literally, in fact, in the case of "Paper Jesus", "Cross To Bear", and "Devil" – a suite of songs which suggest that, for vocalist Aaron Lewis, working through his issues is something of a gruelling spiritual struggle.

To date, it’s a formula that hasn’t always washed with UK audiences, who tend to prefer their angst expressed with slightly less scab-picking seriousness. Chapter V, however, tones down the acoustic edge in favour of a few more robust rockers: the opening "Run Away" balances its rather mordant verses with dynamic moments of clanging hard-rock reminiscent of Papa Roach, while the aforementioned "Paper Jesus" showcases a band not afraid to lay on the chug now and again. It’s true that Pearl Jam fans may well get off on the brooding grunge soul of "Schizophrenic Conversations" and "Please", but in general Chapter V is the sort of solid but conventional fare that should only really trouble fans of the genre --Louis Pattison

CD Description
With 2001's multi-platinum-selling album BREAK THE CYCLE and the accompanying hit "It's Been Awhile", Springfield, Massachusetts-based hard rockers Staind went from nu-metal contenders to crossover mega-stars. Luckily, however, fame did little to change the band's trademark mix of solidly melodic metal, earnest lyrics, and unpretentious what-you-see-is-what-you-get image. Two albums later, CHAPTER V shows the band branching out a little, albeit in a typically understated, tasteful way. Thematically, many of the songs here concern theprice of sudden success and the group's relationship with its uber-loyal fanbase. "Reply" is a heartfelt thanks for every adoring letter, while "Run Away" expresses uncertainty about the fickleness of fortune. Musically, the group sticks to what it does best; a mix of grungy metal and heartfelt ballads, but with a few welcome twists such as the tricky Robert Fripp-like guitar picking on "Paper Jesus" and "Please" and the complex rhythm-section figures on "Right Here". "Everything Changes" is one of the band's best-ever slow songs, sounding more like the Goo Doo Dolls than Godsmack. A subtly affecting album of substantial music, CHAPTER V showcases Staind at the top of its game.

Customer Reviews

V Stars For Chapter V
Staind return with 'Chapter V,' great news for fans, better news for those left relatively unfulfilled by their last album '14 Shades Of Gray.'
By looking at the track listings up the page first impressions may indicate a dark tone of religious cynicism with tracks entitled 'Paper Jesus' and 'Devil,' however as Fred Durst well and truly knows a negative first impression can lead to a misperception.
'Chapter V' contains a blend of both heavy metal and post grunge riffs and a more acoustic, melodic essence which has provided the band with many a success in the past. The heavier tracks such as 'Paper Jesus,' 'Cross To Bear,' 'Falling' and 'King Of All Excuses' resembles the early career of Staind's self-released debut album 'Tormented' and follow-up 'Dysfunction.' This is encouraging for both the long time fan and the new member of the fan club.
There is a sense of maturation in the band's musical execution of this album.The pick of the slower ballads include 'Schizophrenic Conversations' and 'Everything Changes,' the latter, personally, seemed to echo Switchfoot's 'I Dare You To Move.'
One thing that stood out to me was how Mike Mushok's(lead guitarist) displayed his talent that I have been waiting to hear for years. Mini guitar solos occur on 'Schizophrenic Conversations' and beautifully fine solo on the final track 'Reply.' In fact all the band members have excelled themselves in this album and should be very proud of their efforts on this particular album. The inspiration of the likes of Alice In Chains is clear throughout the album, but obviously Staind add their 'personal genius' to create the fifth chapter in the Staind encyclopedia.

A Great Album!
I bought this album on the grounds that i like this particular band's other work. I enjoyed "Break the Cycle" and "14 Shades of Grey" and so i thought that this could only get better.

I was not dissapointed. With great, influential lyrics and brilliant music this album is a definate 5 stars. I'd advise anybody who may not be familiar with this band to either try another album from this band or to become familiar! This is a great album for anybody who is a current fan. If you are not a current fan my advice to you is to try one of the previous albums mentioned.

good but not their best
I bought Chapter V with no knowledge of Staind's previous work, mainly on a whim, and I thought it was great.

The opening riff of Run Away grabs you, and it's chorus will stick in your head for days. Right Here follows it, confirming a great album. There are soulful, heartfelt and honest lyrics from Aaron Lewis, who seems to pour himself into every song. Staind have given several songs more anger than the others, and Paper Jesus is particularly good, politically based hard rock. They also have brilliant softer moments though(Schitzophrenic Conversations). I liked the thought of Reply, which is the band's thankyou to all their fans.

So, great rock album huh? The reviews on here certainly make you think so. However, if you go to any major critic site, quite a lot of people seem to hate both this album and its creators. They are after all, members of the nu-metal "plague".

But if you look past the critics, look past the hated "nu-metal", look past the bald fat man singing, you will find an amazing band. So I would urge all Staind fans to buy this album, it's a really great to have on your shelf.

If you are new to the band though, I would advise you to buy Break the Cycle or 14 shades of grey. Both of these albums are more soulful, more heartfelt than their equivalents on this album, and Staind's earlier work, Dysfunction and Tormented are more angry and pained than their equivalents on this album. Unfortuneately, Chapter V sits in the no-mans land between their original anger and their later sorrow.

Still truly great, though.