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A little turmoil has done wonders for Shinedown. They laid
a solid foundation with their first two albums, Leave
a Whisper (2003) and Us and Them (2005), racking
up a slew of hit singles and not stifling their creativity
while remaining a rock radio staple. Internal and personal
problems that resulted in the departure of their original
guitarist and bassist and the addition of three new members
have created a hungrier band. Any of the 11 songs on The
Sound of Madness could be a regular in concert set lists
for years to come.
Frontman Brent Smith, already established as one of the best
singers in rock music, sounds better than ever. The particularly
admirable aspect of his performance is that he resists the
urge to over-sing the songs, which must be a constant temptation
when you are as talented as he is. He also isn’t afraid
to make his voice dark and dirty on songs like “Devour,”
“Cry for Help,” “Sin with a Grin”
and “Cyanide Sweet Tooth Suicide.” On the title
track, which rivals “Atmosphere” from Us and
Them as my favorite Shinedown song, he adds an edge out
of Pepper Keenan’s playbook before letting his voice
soar when he hits the chorus.
Mixed in win with the heavier songs are lighter selections—“Second
Chance,” “The Crow & the Butterfly,”
“If You Only Knew” (Shinedown’s first love
song), “What a Shame,” “Call Me”—on
which Shinedown has never sounded more epic and majestic.
There could be a couple of massive hit singles in here.
I wouldn’t say Shinedown does anything unique. They
are a rock band, plain and simple. Through Smith’s singing
and songwriting, both of which are at their best on The
Sound of Madness, they have become one of the best in
the game today.
®2008 Live-Metal.net
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