The Sound Of Madness

I discovered Shinedown through a couple of YouTube videos, bought this album on the back of those and have become a big fan. I always like to do track-by-track reviews for CDs, so here goes: 1. DEVOUR The opener is actually a bit of a disappointment for me. Lyrically rather poor and the odd mix of metal-style verses with classic rock chorus doesn't sit very well for me. 5/10 2. THE SOUND OF MADNESS The title track is epic and one of the standout moments of the album. Pure metal, slow, thumping, head-banging enjoyment.10/10 3. SECOND CHANCE A complete contrast to the previous track, Second Chance showcases Shinedown's rock ballad talents to great effect, telling the story of a teenage girl leaving home to make her way in the world. Tinged with sadness yet also incredibly uplifting. 10/10. 4. CRY FOR HELP The title is somewhat deceptive as this is another manic, metallic frenetic head-banger of a track. Some brilliant lyrics help to make this another album highlight. 10/10 5. THE CROW AND THE BUTTERFLY A return to rock ballad territory but the quality remains high. Quiet, wistful verses build into powerful choruses and some beautiful abstract lyrics give it a great warm summery feel. 10/10 6. IF YOU ONLY KNEW Unfortunately the quality begins to dip at this point. Another ballad with some rather manufactured-sounding lyrics that you could imagine being sung by a boy-band. Fortunately the band's musicianship and Brent Smith's amazing voice raise this above mediocrity...although not by much. 6/10 7. SIN WITH A GRIN A rather abrasive punk/metal track which grates on the ear, thanks to the harsh guitars and Brent's over-wrought vocals. Some interesting lyrics keep it listenable though. 6/10. 8. WHAT A SHAME Another gem that I like to call "the greatest song Johnny Cash never sang". A dark, bleak yet beautiful and amazing track that would have suited The Man In Black down to the ground. I like it so much I learned to play it! 10/10 9. CYANIDE SWEET TOOTH SUICIDE Similar in style to Sin With A Grin, this is another punk/metal track though easier on the ear and with lyrics you could imagine being written by Motley Crue. 7/10 10. BREAKING INSIDE The final jewel in this particular crown is another power ballad of epic proportions, topped off with some nice guitar flourishes. Follows the usual "quiet verse / big chorus" formula, but does it oh so well. 10/10 11. CALL ME The album closes with this piano ballad, not unsurprisingly about a relationship breaking up. I'm not normally one for this type of song, but the lyrics and music work together to create an undeniably great song. 8/10

One of the great rock albums .

Great music great band

After hearing a few SHINEDOWN songs on the radio i thought it was time to buy an album, i knew 'Sound of madness' so that's why i chose this album. It is seriously good and i am now very much a SHINEDOWN fan and will be buying the other albums very soon. I have recently discovered that there is a special edition of this album which has about 5 bonus songs and is well worth the extra pennies. 5 stars because it is the kind of album you can play over and over (great driving music!!). ENJOY!!

Loved the CD great tracks slow and fast

First put onto Shinedown by my son, played it once and dismissed as hammy US rock. Happened to pick it up a few weeks later and I'm glad I did as it's brilliant. Infectious and engaging I'd defy anyone not to let the songs get under your skin. Brent Smiths diction is perfect for the big anthem songs that appear to be their trademark. Get this album and if you like rock you will not be disappointed. Other albums. Amaryllis = brilliant. Us and Them. Not quite up to the same high level but still a very good album nonetheless.

I was not familiar with the name of this band however, I had heard Second Chance on Kerrang tv numerous times! This CD was recommended to me and, after looking at reviews and listening to some of the tracks on youtube, I decided to buy it. I'm so glad I did! This CD has got to be one of the best purchases I've made this year and has been played in my car constantly since I bought it! As the title of the review says, 'bloody brilliant'! I can't rate it highly enough. I'm surprised the CD has not yet worn out!

Great cd but Amazon failed to deliver the 2 cd package I ordered instead you sent a single disc version but still charged full price poor service in my opinion. You did refund money back down to single disc price after I rang to complain as your operative seemed to think this was best option but this means I ended up with wrong version I haven't used amazon since and don't think I will do either sadly Ian

After a very disappointing release in 2005, Shinedown is back as bright as ever. I've been a fan since I first heard "Fly from the Inside" on the radio back in the spring of 2003, and it was four long months of waiting before "Leave a Whisper," quite possibly the best alternative rock album of the decade, was released. The new album, "The Sound of Madness," is almost as good as "Leave a Whisper," and that's saying something. 1. Devour 9/10: This is the first of several hard-rocking tracks on the album. There's definitely some new (for Shinedown) guitar work going on here. The song reminds me of Drowning Pool and Rob Zombie's "The Man Without Fear." Of all the songs on the album, this one is the best opener. Shinedown is now 3 for 3 choosing the best opener. 2. Sound of Madness 10/10: The lyrics are great, the post-chorus riff is very distinctive, and it's an all-around complete song and a perfect title track. 3. Second Chance 6/10: I liked this song the first time I heard it, but it's gotten worse and worse with each listen, and that really shouldn't happen with a Shinedown song. 4. Cry for Help 9/10: Another hard-rocker, harder than anything on either of the previous albums. Like most Shinedown songs, there are religious overtones, but here, they're a little atheist. 5. The Crow & the Butterfly 6/10: Like "Second Chance," I like this song less and less each time I hear it. I assume it's about a friend dying of an overdose. 6. If You Only Knew 5/10: This is the worst song on the album, but in all fairness, it's very hard for an alternative metal band to perform a good love ballad. 7. Sin with a Grin 8/10: Yet another hard-rocker, and this time, the religious overtones are downright satanic. 8. What a Shame 8/10: This song gets points off for being preachy (or anti-preachy), but it's done very well. The third chorus contains Brent's only real attempt at hitting one of those power notes that made "Leave a Whisper" so great. 9. Cyanide Sweet Tooth Suicide 7/10: This is the last of the hard-rockers, some really heavy drums and whiny guitar on this one. The chorus needs work, but not a bad song otherwise. 10. Breaking Inside 10/10: This is my favorite song on the album. It's got the lyrics, a Pink Floyd-inspired first verse, and a really catchy chorus. 11. Call Me 8/10: This song tries to be "45," but it doesn't quite have the content to make it. The piano works well. It was probably the best choice for a closer. 12. I Own You 9/10: If you have the special edition version of this album, you saw the chorus to this song printed on the back of the lyrics booklet. This song moves fast, and it certainly could've made the regular version of the album. 13. The Energy 9/10: I think this is the only song that has really grown on me. Yes, it's a cliché rock song about how they're charged by their fans, but it's still pretty good. 14. Son of Sam 6/10: What could've been a very good song was killed by terrible lyrics, a true b-side. Overall, this is a great album, probably the most solid rock album of 2008 so far, and probably the most deserving of a Grammy. Still, there is not one track on here as outstanding and memorable as more than half of "Leave a Whisper." I'm learning to accept that there will never be another Shinedown album as amazing as "Leave a Whisper."

日本では余り知名度は高くないのかもしれないけど埋もれさすにはもったいない名盤

Excellent music, a couple rounchy songs but alright

Happy with item

Il disco non ha bisogno di una mia recensione.. Se piace il gruppo si sa cosa si sta comprando. Il servizio Amazon è stato eccellente e puntuale come nella maggior parte dei casi.