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Rating:
We are in 2009, ladies and gentlemen.
So why is this madman reviewing an album from 2001 tonight?
Because this album saved my life.
We are in 2001, and in Springfield, Massachusetts everything apparently sucks.
I can't explain otherwise how these four young guys, known as Staind, discovered by the ever-watchful frontman of Limp Bizkit, after having smashed everything with the previous "Dysfunction," a stunning but raw snapshot of urban anger, managed to deliver the DEFINITIVE post-grunge album.
That's right my friends, "Break The Cycle" is THE post-grunge album.
Such a platter hasn't been heard since the days of "Dirt" by the ever-mourned Alice In Chains, you put it in the player (at this point MP3, I'd say) and as you press play, a sea of steaming shit flies in your face, and you like it.
Discomfort is the first word that comes to mind when listening to something oppressive like "Open Your Eyes," which opens the lot, when the chorus explodes you feel almost relieved, thinking you've made it, but you haven't understood a damn thing about what awaits you, so they start to flow into your ears like rivers of blood gushing from your wrists, pieces like "Fade," "Pressure," then "It's Been Awhile" comes and you start to realize that you are really in deep shit.
A perfect single, catchy, enjoyable, well-sung, well-played, and when it ends, you realize you're on your fourth cigarette.
Then it starts again with "Change" and the confused guitars of Mike Mushok come back, guitars tuned underground, simple and granite riffs, stuff that makes the floor tremble in the right stereo, just like "Can't Believe."
Here, if we want, "Epiphany" is the weak point of the album, and it's right in the middle, out of context it would still be an enjoyable acoustic strumming, but it's way too sweet for the tones of this album, there is no room for hope, only suffering, as the subsequent "Suffer" testifies, at this point if you haven't pressed stop yet and still want this stuff, you should start asking yourself some questions...
It means you're identifying with this suffering, it means that Aaron Lewis's wonderful voice is entering your veins directly from the skin.
We are offered a little respite with "Warm Safe Place", hahahaha, I feel like laughing, it's just a pious illusion.
You're about to be annihilated by "For You" which leaves no handhold to cling to, by now you're lost, the only guide in the darkness is his voice, expressive like few others on the scene, unravelling simple, yet not predictable melodies, a trademark of this album.
Then "Outside" begins, and you start reflecting on yourself, your fears, the shit you have inside, your insecurities come out, yet once more you can't stop, you're captivated.
"Waste" flows freely, and "Take It" arrives, where once again Mushok takes the lead with his Ibanez, pacing the piece, showing you the way to oblivion, and you follow it because by now you're in it.
They also give us a treat, a live version of "Outside" where we find their Talent Scout, Fred Dust, as a guest, a very intimate moment of the album, even if it doesn't add much to the discourse, it's just something extra.
I believe that if "Break The Cycle" hadn't come out, by now I would be praising the most extreme Black Metal or worse, I'd be miserably powdered in some trendy House club in Milan...
Joking aside, this is a vastly underrated album, it has EVERYTHING, power, melancholy, suffering, melody in abundance, commercial appeal, and even a hint of originality compared to the clichés of the genre, a detail not to be underestimated.
I've always listened to it, cyclically I pull it out, listen again, suffer again like the first day, because the power of this music is timeless.
Maybe if you didn't experience it at release like me, or like others won't feel it as yours, but it sounds fresh today as it did in 2001, because our problems are always the same, after all we are all children of the '90s, after all we are all an unworthy generation, without legacy, despised by the older ones because considered without values, considered old by the younger ones because we don't care about trends and consumerism.
If you can, come back to suffer occasionally with this album, you will feel free again.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Open Your Eyes (03:54)
As I walk along these streets
I see a man that walks alone
Distant echo of people's feet
He has no place to call his own
A shot rings out from a roof overhead
A crackhead asks for change nearby
An old man lies in an alleyway dead
A little girl lost just stands there and cries
Chorus:
What would you do (What would you do)
if it was you (if it was you)
Would you take everything
For granted like you do
A boy just 13 on the corner for sale
Swallows his pride for another hit
Overpopulation there's no room in jail
And most of you don't give a shit
That your daughters are porno stars
And your sons sell death to kids
So lost in your little worlds
Your little worlds you'll never fix
Chorus:
What would you do (What would you do)
if it was you (if it was you)
Would you take everything
For granted like you do
You turn away (x4)
As I walk along the streets
Soaking up the acid rain
Underneath the taxicabs
I hear the streets cry out in vain
Chorus:
What would you do (What would you do)
if it was you (if it was you)
Would you take everything
For granted like you do (x2)
02 Pressure (03:24)
I just need this to be alright
I can't feel this another night
I can't take this I come unglued
I might breakdown in front of you
Necessary to medicate
I'm not sleeping, can't stay awake
Chorus:
Can't see through this
Too much pressure
Drowning in this
Too much pressure
If you need me I'll be here
Half unconscious, escape my fear
I can't take this I come unglued
I might breakdown in front of you
Necessary to medicate
I'm not sleeping can't stay awake
Chorus:
Can't see through this
Too much pressure
Drowning in this
Too much pressure
My head hurts this shit isn't getting me high
My chest is so tight am I going to die
My stomach's in knots and the room starts to spin
As I wait for this Valium to slowly kick in
Chorus:
Can't see through this
Too much pressure
Drowning in this
Too much pressure (2x)
03 Fade (04:03)
I try to breathe
Memories overtaking me
I try to face them but
The thought is too
Much to concieve
I only know that I can change
Everything else just stays the same
So now I step out of the darkness
That my life became 'cause
I just needed
Someone to talk to
You were just too
Busy with yourself
You were never
There for me to
Express how I felt
I just stuffed it down
Now I'm older
And I feel like
I could let some of
This anger fade
But it seems the surface
I am scratching
Is the bed that I have made
So where were you
When all this I was going through
You never took the time to ask me
Just what you could do
I only know that I can change
Everything else just stays the same
So now I step out of the darkness
That my life became 'cause
I just needed
Someone to talk to
You were just too
Busy with yourself
You were never
There for me to
Express how I felt
I just stuffed it down
Now I'm older
And I feel like
I could let some of
This anger fade
But it seems the surface
I am scratching
Is the bed that I have made
But I never meant to fade..away
I never meant to fade..away
I just needed
Someone to talk to
You were just too
Busy with yourself
You were never
There for me to
Express how I felt
I just stuffed it down
Now I'm older
And I feel like
I could let some of
This anger fade
But it seems the surface
I am scratching
Is the bed that I have made
I try to breathe..
04 It's Been Awhile (04:28)
It's been a while
Since I could
Hold my head up high
And It's been a while
Since I First saw you
And It's been a while
Since I could stand
on my own two feet again
And it's been a while
Since I could call you
And everything I can't remember
As fucked up as it all may seem
The consequences that i've rendered
I stretched myself beyond my means
And It's been a while
Since I can say
That I wasn't addicted and
It's been a while
Since I can say
I love myself as well and
It's been a while
Since I've gone
And fucked things up
Just like I always do
and it's been a while
But all that shit seems to
Disappear when I'm with you
And everything I can't remember
As fucked up as it all may seem
The consequences that I've rendered
I'm gone and fucked things up again
Why must I feel this way?
Just make this go away
Just one more peaceful day
And it's been awhile
Since I could
Look at myself straight
And it's been a while
Since I said I'm sorry
And it's been a while
Since I've seen the way
the candles light your face
And it's been a while
But I can still remember
Just the way you taste
And everything
I can't remember
as fucked up as
It all may seem to be
I know it's me
I cannot blame
This on my father
He did the best
He could for me
And it's been a while
Since I could
Hold my head up high
And it's been awhile
Since I said I'm sorry
05 Change (03:36)
If ever you had said to me before
That I would lead this life
That I am living now I guess it's all so strange
To feel the way I do inside and
Have so much that I could feel some
Pride for in my life so why is it that
I feel like this
Chorus:
How do I feel? I've been here before
I've felt this
Retreat to a place, a place within me
I need this
Keep it all down, bottled inside it breaks me
to torment again and
Torture me like it used to
I try and try to break away from all the hate
I'm feeling
for everyone of you that's ever Done me wrong
I need to justify the reasons for the way I'm living I
guess I can't cause
I don't feel like I deserve
Chorus:
How do I feel? I've been here before
I've felt this
Retreat to a place, a place within me
I need this
Keep it all down bottled inside it breaks me
to torment again and
Torture me like it used to
(screams)
So now the waves they have subsided
And my soul is bleeding
I can't take away all the shame I feel
Forgive me
Chorus:
How do I feel? I've been here before
I've felt this
Retreat to a place, a place within me
I need this
Keep it all down bottled inside it breaks me
to torment again and
Torture me like it used to
Again..
06 Can't Believe (02:50)
Respect.
Respect what is found
Respect should abound
Respect everything that you leave
I can't believe
Can't believe (x2)
And I, I can't believe
I can't believe all the travesty
Surrounding me
I want to flee
Well, I want to flee from everything
In front of me
I can't believe
Can't believe (x2)
Never again, trusted in you
Fuck everything that you think I should be
I stand.
Never again, never again
I can't believe
Can't believe (x4)
07 Epiphany (04:18)
Your words to me just a whisper
Your face is so unclear
I try to pay attention
Your words just disappear
Oh
'Cause it's always raining in my head
Oh
Forget all the things I should have said
So I speak to you in riddles
'Cause my words get in my way
I smoke the whole thing to my head
And feel it wash away
'Cause I can't take anymore of this
I wanna come apart
Or dig myself a little hole
Inside your precious heart
Oh
'Cause it's always raining in my head
Oh
Forget all the things I should have said
I am nothing more than
A little boy inside
That cries out for attention
Yet I always try to hide
'Cause I talk to you like children
Though I don't know how I feel
But I know I'll do the right thing
If the right thing is revealed
'Cause it's always raining in my head
Forget all the things I should have said
08 Suffer (04:01)
Suffer x3
The more you see the more you do
The television's feeding you
With what you want to hear
Anger and fear
Because you suffer
The hate you feel won't go away
You are programmed to feel this way
To live another day
Within a world that longs to suffer
(Suffer)
And then i come to find
And everything's ok
Seen this all before
But that was yesterday
Try to walk right through
The messes that i have made
Just let me enjoy
The life here that i live
I try to give this all to you
Can't take anymore to deal with this
It hurts inside
I know why i hide
Cause i suffer
(Suffer)
I tried to keep it all inside
It didn't leave me too much pride
I forced it all down inside
Forced myself to make me suffer
(Suffer)
And then i come to find
And everything's ok
Seen this all before
But that was yesterday
Try to make it through
The messes that i have made
So i can enjoy
The life here that i made
And then i come to find..
And then i come to find
And eveything's ok
Seen this all before
But that was yesterday
Try to walk right through
These messes that i have made
Just try to enjoy
This life here that i have
09 Warm Safe Place (04:35)
Another day inside my world
I'm married to you and this road
A road that never lets me sleep
There's no way to escape these demons
I am forced to keep
Chorus:
And then I find you here
Through your eyes
Everything's clear
And I'm home
Inside your arms
But i'm alone for now
I mean the best with what I say
It doesn't always sound that way
I never learned to work things out
'Cause in my family all we ever seemed to do is shout
Chorus:
And then I find you here
Through your eyes
Everything's clear
And I'm home
Inside your arms
But i'm alone for now
Alone for now
And I try to sleep
The drugs I take
Are killing me
I think of you
To ease my pain
But you're so far
And now it's time to say goodbye,
I love you baby, please don't cry..
Chorus:
And then I find you here
Through your eyes
Everything's clear
And I'm home
Inside your arms
But i'm alone for now
Alone for now
11 Outside (04:54)
And you
You bring me to my knees, again
All the times that I could
Beg you please, in vain
All the times that
I felt insecure, for you
And I leave my burdens
At the door
But I'm on the outside
I'm looking in
I can see through you
See your true colors
'Cause inside you're ugly
You're ugly like me
I can see through you
See to the real you
All the times that
I felt like this won't end
Its for you
And I taste what
I could never have
It was from you
All the times that I've cried
My intentions, full of pride
And I waste more time than anyone
But I'm on the outside
I'm looking in
I can see through you
See your true colors
'Cause inside you're ugly
You're ugly like me
I can see through you
See to the real you
All the times
That I've cried
All this wasted
It's all inside
And I feel
All this pain
I stuffed it down
It's back again
And I lie
Here in bed
All alone
I can't mend
But I feel
Tomorrow will be okay
But I'm on the outside
And I'm looking in
I can see through you
See your true colors
'Cause inside you're ugly
You're ugly like me
I can see through you
See to the real you
12 Waste (03:56)
Your mother came up to me,
She wanted answers
Only she should know,
Only she should know
It wasn't easy to deal
With the tears that rolled down her face
I had no answers 'cause
I didn't even know you
But these words they can't replace
The life you,
The life you waste
How could you paint this picture?
Was life as bad as it should seem
That there were no more options for you?
I can't explain how I feel
I've been there many times before
I've tasted the cold steel of my life crashing down before me
But these words they can't replace
The life you
The life you waste
Did daddy not love you?
Or did he love you just too much?
Did he control you?
Did he live through you at your cost?
Did he leave no questions for you to answer on your own?
Well fuck that
And fuck her
And fuck him
And fuck you
For not having the strength in your heart
To pull through
I've had doubts
I had failed
I'd fucked up
I've had plans
Doesn't mean I should take my life with my own hands
But these words, they can't replace
The life you
The life you waste
But these words, they don't replace
The life you
The life you waste.
14 Painful (03:30)
I light another cigarette
Stop to think about it
Come to no conclusions
Take each step as it comes
Hold no prisoners except myself
Painful thoughts denied
Try to explain
My loss of words
Fuck you I piss upon you all
My head is a barricade
Filled with peaceful thoughts
With evil outcomes
No one understands
Try to break the barrier
I see no outlet
No ones there to catch me when I fall
Try to explain
My loss of words
Fuck you I piss upon you all
15 Self Destruct (03:36)
Watch me suffer
You'll feel better
Stick the needle in my veins
Lost my feelings with my dealing
Thoughts of only you remain
Fuck(x8)
Rip and tear
In my despair
Agonizing over shit
Feel the needle burn and tingle
My bad habits deal with it
Chorus:
Fuck(x8)
I will self destruct (x4)
My light has slowly faded
Broken and degraded
Suffocate in my sorrow
Mabye I'll die tomorrow
This riot that I've sited
Came to you uninvited
Truth hurts when it's in your face
Are you afraid of it?
I will self destruct (x4)
I Think I'm gonna, think I'm gonna - I will self destruct
I Think I'm gonna, think I'm gonna - I will self destruct
I Think I'm gonna, think I'm gonna - I will self destruct
I Think I'm gonna, think I'm gonna - SNAP
I self destruct my mind
I self destruct my world
I self destruct my life (x6)
16 Afraid to Be Alone (04:07)
I force myself through another day
Can't explain the way today just fell apart like everything
Right in my face
And I try to be the one
I can't accept this all because of you
I've had to walk away
From everything
I'm afraid to be alone
Afraid you'll leave me when I'm gone
I'm afraid to come back home
Another sleepless night again
Hotel rooms my only friend
And friends like that just don't add up
To anything
And I try so hard to be everything
That I should never take away from you again
'Cause I heard ya say
I'm afraid to be alone
Afraid you'll leave me when I'm gone
I'm afraid to come back home
I cannot forget
I live with regret
I cannot forget
I live with...
I'll live through this
I can't see through this
I can't do this anymore
I'm afraid to be alone
Afraid you'll leave me when I'm gone
I'm afraid to come back home
Afraid you'll leave me when I'm gone
I just wish I was back home
Home
17 Just Go (04:50)
I'm kinda numb
It's so distorted
You left me here with
This damage that you caused
My tortured faces
Those fucked up places
In my memories
None of them I've lost
But
Chorus:
I haven't been here long enough to know
Every time I feel this I just lose control
Such a cancer on the face of everything that's beautiful
I wish that this would just go
Go
It's kinda sick
I feel so dirty
I'm kinda tragic
Kinda insecure
But I know
That I'm the only
One that can fix
Whatever's wrong I'm sure
But
Chorus:
I haven't been here long enough to know
Every time I feel this I just lose control
Such a cancer on the face of everything that's beautiful
I wish that this would just go
Go
I feel so alone
From all I've become
I'll take you down
I feel so down
I'm water while you drown
You're lifted while I'm down
I'm cancer in your womb
I'm the needle in your spoon
But
Chorus:
I haven't been here long enough to know
Every time I feel this, I just lose control
Such a cancer on the face of everything that's beautiful
I wish that this would just go
Go
Just, just, just, just go, go, go
With these fucking lies
All these fucking Lies
18 Crawl (04:31)
I'm so lonely
You're so beautiful
Not the only
One that's pitiful
Stretched and torn, I lay here in pieces
Craving all of your deadly vices
'd Like to think that I'm not addicted
But I guess I wear it well
And I crawl
While you spit
And I crawl through you
Here I am now
Not a lot has changed
Nothing better
Everything's the same
Late at night I can hear your voices
Talking shit about all my choices
You would think that you've known me forever
Just because you know my name
And I crawl
while you spit
And I crawl through you
Everything falls apart
Everything (x6)
And I crawl
while you spit
And I crawl through
19 Suffocate (03:57)
I feel nothing
Longing for something
(Relax a minute, take your clothes off
Show me what you're made of)
Just to soothe me
(All alone)
Leave me here I'm dying
(All alone)
Just kicked me in my face
(All alone)
All alone and crying
(All alone)
I suffocate
I'm not gifted
Slightly twisted
(Try hard, try hard to see if I can push you any further)
Just to soothe me
(All alone)
Leave me here I'm dying
(All alone)
Just kicked me in my face
(All alone)
All alone and crying
(All alone)
I'll suffocate
Please believe
You'll save me, rearrange me
I can feel
Your feelings running through me
Take away
My sorrow, my tomorrow
Cradle me
(All alone)
Leave me here I'm dying
(All alone)
Just kick me in my face
(All alone)
All alone and crying
(All alone)
I'll suffocate
I'm suffocating
Suffocate
(I'm suffocating)
Suffocate
(I'm suffocating)
Suffocate
(I'm suffocating)
Suffocate
(I'm suffocating)
Suffocate
(I'm suffocating)
20 Nameless (03:26)
Cant you see i fuckin hate me X4
The walls around me caving in
Cracked and grey
Remind me of myself, I need some help
There's no one else
I'm empty
Addicted
Pissed off
And still afraid
Of what you
Have left me
To live in
This mess you've made
I feel
USELESS
Jaded
Nameless
the ride is over, I've come down
Hate to be
Can't rely on myself, for my own health
To just say no
I'm fucked up
Distorted
Dysfunctional
and drained
All of my deep rooted
Fears seem to get
The best of me
I feel
USELESS
Jaded
Nameless
I hate the way you fucked with (ME.
YOU) can't rely on open eyes to (SEE.
YOU) force these painful visions from my (HEAD.
YOU) won't be happy till I break down
I feel
USELESS
Jaded
Nameless
Cant you see (NAMELESS) i fuckin hate me (NAMELESS) X4
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Other reviews
By Gallagher87
"It's a warm album in its coldness, risking morally self-destructing when listened to fully."
"Millions of copies sold, born from excellent sound or Lewisian pessimism? Both contributed to success."
