STONE SOUR
“Hydrograd”
Hard Rock / Alternative Rock
(Roadrunner, 2017)
To record hit single is one thing but to integrate a bunch of them into the album, the unity that works perfectly is quite another. „Hydrograd“ succeeded.
Since then, the band has released two covers EPs 2015, “Meanwhile in Burbank …” and “Straight Outta Burbank” in its current lineup. Although this seemed like an unnecessary step, these releases not only helped the band to better know each other and present us their musical idols but also made a perfect introduction to the sixth studio album “Hydrograd”, since they announced a change in the musical direction, on the new album it happened. In that sense, “Hydrograd” is a much more traditional album but full of varieties, full of classic hard rock riffs combined with Corey’s harsh and melodic vocals. The dose of aggression and darkness that previous releases were full of, which can be accredited to an uncompromising frontman, is visibly reduced at the expense of a more traditional and more accessible rock ‘n’ roll sound. I will dare to say that Stone Sour now more than ever sounds like a band and “Hydrograd” is the result of the collaboration of top-notch musicians who also have lots of fun together.
From the ballads “Song # 3” and “St. Marie”, which are here probably to achieve the same effect of unrepeatable ballads like “Through Glass” or “Bother”, through hard rock anthems “Fabuless” and “Taipei Person / Allah Tea”, heavy pieces like “Whiplash Pants” and “Somebody Stole My Eyes”, atmospheric “When The Fever Broke”, this album really has a lot to offer for everyone. Filled with radio-friendly, anthemic and sing-along treat, it probably pissed off many old fans but undoubtedly attracted a bunch of new ones. Although it will not be marked as a classic or bands best album, it is certainly more than worth the attention and listening. 15 songs and over an hour long might seem too much, but Stone Sour have managed to prove why they are one of the best hard rock bands out there. To record hit single is one thing but to integrate a bunch of them into the album, the unity that works perfectly is quite another. „Hydrograd“ succeeded.
But what does Corey Taylor think?
Written by Jadranka Balaš
Track listing:
01. YSIF
02. Taipei Person / Allah Tea
03. Knievel Has Landed
04. Hydrograd
05. Song #3
06. Fabuless
07. The Witness Trees
08. Rose Red Violent Blue (This Song Is Dumb & So Am I)
09. Thank God It’s Over
10. St. Marie
11. Mercy
12. Whiplash Pants
13. Friday Knights
14. Somebody Stole My Eyes
15. When the Fever Broke
To record hit single is one thing but to integrate a bunch of them into the album, the unity that works perfectly is quite another. „Hydrograd“ succeeded.
