Shinedown – The Sound of Madness

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This album was actually released in the US back in June 2008, but is only now getting a UK release in March 2009. Badly timed from a touring point of view, as the band played the UK supporting Disturbed in November, and headlining their own shows in January, both without an album to sell. But, they have added three extra tracks to the UK edition, and the album overall benefits greatly from their inclusion. This is mostly because all three are rock tracks and the original album lacks a certain amount of punch after the outstanding opening brace of singles (Devour and Sound of Madness). The rest of the album contains a few too many soft alt-rock moments which, when they’re good (What A Shame) are excellent, but the rest of the time they start to become a bit anonymous, while the other rock tracks in the middle of the disc are also found to be a little lacking in anything close to as interesting as, for example, the grooving southern riff of the title track. The very-Live Call Me, which originally closed the album, is an interesting song, but it’s the rocking bonus tracks, particularly Son of Sam which end up saving the day.

Written by Andy Lye
More: Albums, Alternative, Quick.Play Reviews, Shinedown