Japanese 'special package' edition of 2002 album features 21 tracks including 5 bonus audio tracks, 'Rules Of Evidence', 'The Wicked', 'Inside The Cynic', 'Kill Everybody' & 'Road Hogs', plus a bonus DVD (NTSC/Region 2... more ») containing 3 bonus video tracks, 'Brother', 'Get Inside' & 'Inhale'. Roadrunner. 2003.« less
Japanese 'special package' edition of 2002 album features 21 tracks including 5 bonus audio tracks, 'Rules Of Evidence', 'The Wicked', 'Inside The Cynic', 'Kill Everybody' & 'Road Hogs', plus a bonus DVD (NTSC/Region 2) containing 3 bonus video tracks, 'Brother', 'Get Inside' & 'Inhale'. Roadrunner. 2003.
"Before he got pigeonholed as the mask-wearing, profanity-spewing frontman of Slipknot, Corey Taylor resurrected Stone Sour, his original group, in 2002. And it's a good thing he did! Few people realize just what a dynamic vocalist he can be, and with Stone Sour's proper debut, Taylor shows off all he is capable of. Heck, I'm not the biggest fan of the 'Knot, but I was really surprised when I heard Stone Sour for the first time.
There are obviously elements of Stone Sour that smell like Slipknot (afterall, they also share a guitarist in James Root) but this is one side-project that doesn't end up being merely an extension of the original band.
The most recognizable song on here is easily "Bother," a song which you may remember hearing on the radio, seeing on MTV and appearing on the "Spider-Man" soundtrack. "Bother," an all acoustic song, marks a change of pace for Taylor. No more does he have to shriek or scream to get his point across, as this dark ballad displays much depth and emotion in his singing voice, something rarely heard in Slipknot. "Orchids" and "Inhale" are two songs that stand out as well. Both are moderately heavy, but have more modern hard-rock appeal. "Get Inside," the opening track, is obviously intended to gently guide the average Slipknot fan into the album, as it sounds just a bit recycled and familiar, the only downside to the album.
For those getting the deluxe version of the album, not only are we treated to a DVD containing all three music videos from the album -- "Get Inside," "Bother" and "Inhale" -- but we also get five bonus tracks. "Road Hogs" and "Kill Everybody" are demo tracks from 2000, and don't really fare well with the rest of the material. However, "Rules Of Evidence," "The Wicked" and "Inside The Cynic" (which popped up on the "Freddy Vs. Jason" soundtrack) are just as good as the rest of the album, and rightfully belong. Overall, it's an outstanding effort, and thankfully, Stone Sour will have a new album out again within the coming weeks. I highly recommend this album to everyone."
Still Love It!!
Violet | hell | 06/24/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's been two years since this album was released and the guys are going back into the studio to do another this comming January.
This album is one of the best I have heard ever. If you like alternative rock or rock this is the perfect album to have in your collection. Corey's voice really soars over the tracks, this is not as previlant in the three Slipknot albums. Instead of screaming so much he really gets melodic and it's beautiful. Don't get me wrong though this album is still hard like on the tracks "Get Inside", "Cold Reader", "Idle Hands", "Tumult", "The Wicked", and "Kill Everybody". But he shows his true range in his voice on "Monolith", "Inhale", "Bother", "Blue Study", and "Rules of Evidence".
But really if anything you should buy the cd for the tracks "Omega" and "Road Hogs". "Omega" is a poem that Corey recites with a lot of emotion. "Road Hogs" is just a funny song(if you understand what it means).
And the other person that reviewed this CD and said that if you like older Slipknot then you shouldn't buy this, that's a lie. A lot of the older Slipknot is better than the new stuff. I am a big Slipknot and StoneSour fan, you can be both, ya know. But if your looking for another Slipknot album don't exspect that out of this CD this is a whole other band with their own sound.
Another reason for buying this CD is so that you can watch the videos on the DVD over and over, they are really awesome.
I don't ever get tired of listening to this album.
I can't wait until the next StoneSour album comes out!!!"
4.5/5 rounded up to 5...
Michelle Bali | Aurora, CO USA | 10/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an amazing album. Here we go with the ratings for each song.
Get Inside - 5/5 - Very Slipknot-ish. The fact that it's so alike yet so different is kind of scary. I love the solo in this song. It in a way, adds to the agressiveness of the overall song. The lyrics are good too.
Orchids - 5/5 - This is the first song that I couldn't stop listening to. It's a very good song with an interesting guitar part. I love the vocals because Corey always has a hint of emotion. But in this song, it just screams emotion.
Cold Reader - 3/5 - I have to honestly say I don't like this song too much. I can listen to it, but I don't like the way it sounds. It could've been better.
Blotter - 5/5 - I love the vocals. Just so interesting. And the way he goes from like the sick demented vocals to the voice we all know and love. Great song.
Choose - 5/5 - As a friend of mine said, "Wow those are awesome lyrics!" He stands corrected. I like the beginning where the music switches through each side of your headphones/speakers. He has great vocals on this.
Monolith - 5/5 - If you don't love this song, you are seriously like, I don't even know where to begin. This is such a good song. Listen to it and you'll know why it's so hard to explain.
Inhale - 5/5 - Another single. But it's amazing so it works. The guitar part is awesome. The vocals on this are very pretty and the lyrics are sad. Good song.
Bother - 5/5 - This is the best vocal work I've seen come from Corey to date. It's just so amazing. This song is so sad. And the fact that Corey plays the guitar and sings in this song just makes it so much better.
Blue Study - 5/5 - Lyrics are great. The chorus could've been better but it's still a good song. I love the melody and tune of this song. It's amazing.
Take A Number - 5/5 - This song should be split up for vocals and lyrics. I maen they are both so amazing. Amazing song. I love it. It's so powerful.
Idle Hands - 5/5 - Once again, great lyrics. Great guitar part. I like the vocals on this too.
Tumult - 4/5 - I'm not loving the little sounds with the, you know I don't even know what the hell it is. But I like the vocals.
Omega - 5/5 - Powerful & turthful. Corey has a hot voice which is a plus i must admit. But I really love this poem. It's amazing.
Rules of Evidence - 5/5 - Great lyrics, great song.
The Wicked - 5/5 - I don't like the chorus but we can all get over it. It's a good song other than that. I liek the lyrics.
Inside The Cynic - 5/5 - Good song, great lyrics, great guitars.
Kill Everybody - 5/5 - I'm not sure what the purpose of the little pig noises are (or whatever it is) but besides that, it's an overall good song.
Road Hogs - 5/5 - I love this song. It's hilarious if you get it. Vocals are powerful and driven. Great song.
Average rating is 4.5 rounded up to 5."
Hmmmmmmmmmmm
Chris Dando | 02/15/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"this is wierd. Im a... sorta fan of slipknot. i like vol.3 but the older stuff i stay well clear from. its scary hahaha. stone sour is more like my kinda music yet its just too wierd seeing how slipknot have become more and more like stone sour, yet altho the hav the same guitarist and same singer how different the two are. if you like vol.3 then ul love stone sour. if your more of a fan of the older slipknot then stear clear of this. this is light compared to Iowa, Slipknot and Mate Feed Kill Repeat. GOOD STUFF THO !!!!"