Stone Sour (album)

Stone Sour is the debut studio album by American rock band Stone Sour. It was recorded and produced by the band and Tom Tatman at Catamount Studios in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and was released on August 27, 2002, through Roadrunner Records. Writing for the album began in 2000 while vocalist Corey Taylor and guitarist Jim Root were still actively involved in their other band, Slipknot. Work began on the album after Slipknot had gone on hiatus following touring in support of their second album Iowa.

Stone Sour
Studio album by Stone Sour
Released	August 27, 2002
Recorded	2000–2002
Studio	Catamount Studios, Cedar Falls, Iowa, U.S.
Genre	Alternative metal nu metal post-grunge
Length	50:57
Label	Roadrunner
Producer	Tom Tatman Stone Sour
Stone Sour chronology
2001 Demo (2001) Stone Sour (2002) Come What(ever) May (2006)
Singles from Stone Sour
"Get Inside" Released: June 2002 "Bother" Released: March 3, 2003 "Inhale" Released: July 7, 2003

Following the release of the album, Stone Sour went on to promote it for almost a year; releasing three singles and touring in several regions, including the United States and several countries in Europe. The album received generally positive reviews. It was praised for showing a diversity in Taylor's vocals, which was not presented in Slipknot's early albums. It was also certified Gold in the United States and two singles from the album received Grammy Award nominations for Best Metal Performance in consecutive years.

Development

In 2000, Josh Rand contacted Corey Taylor after Taylor had returned from touring in Japan with his other band Slipknot about material he had been working on.[1] Speaking about the experience, Taylor said, "we just started writing stuff and it started to happen".[2] The duo wrote 14 songs and began working in a studio on some demos.[2] Taylor added that it got to a point where he said to Rand, "I think we're going to have to put a real band together, because this is just too serious!"[2] After further enlisting the help of Joel Ekman and previous Stone Sour members Shawn Economaki and Jim Root, the band began working on the album at Catamount Studios in Cedar Falls, Iowa.[3] Before the release of the album, the band went through several different names, most notably Superego,[3] before later announcing that they would use their original name Stone Sour.[4]

Marketing

Prior to the release of the album, the track "Bother" was featured on the soundtrack for the film Spider-Man; however, it was only credited to Corey Taylor.[5] In support of the album, Stone Sour released two singles in quick succession; "Get Inside" was the band's first music video and it included live footage.[6] Released shortly after, "Bother" also featured a music video.[7]

Throughout October and November 2002, Stone Sour toured the United States in support of the album with Chevelle and Sinch.[8] In 2003, the band continued to tour in support of the album; including a European tour with Saliva,[9] an American tour with Powerman 5000,[10] several appearances at European festivals,[11] a UK tour with Murderdolls, amongst others.[12]

The third single from the album, "Inhale," was released in early 2003,[13] shortly after the previously unreleased track "Inside the Cynic" was featured on the soundtrack for Freddy vs. Jason.[14] On October 21, 2003, a special edition version of Stone Sour was released which included "Inside the Cynic", four additional unreleased tracks, a DVD which featured all three music videos and alternative cover artwork.[15]

Musical style

Corey Taylor touted Stone Sour as "melodic hard rock with content and initiative."[16] Jason D. Taylor of Allmusic noted that although it is not displayed on early Slipknot releases, "[Corey] Taylor has the ability to actually sing," citing Alice in Chains and Soundgarden as influences.[17] Jason Taylor went on to state the album gets better after multiple listens.[17] Jeff Modzelewski of 411mania wrote the album mixed "hostility, reservation, brutality and melody."[18] According to Modzelewski, the album has a "mainstream sound" with each of the band's members standing out during one song or another.[18] Don Kaye of Blabbermouth.net felt the message of "Bother" did not differ from Slipknot tracks, but was "presented in an utterly different musical vein". Kaye also felt the album "holds its own ... in terms of heaviness and power."[19] "The band knows how to put together an energetic rocker," wrote NY Rock; elements such as the "melodic twist to the songs ... will please hardcore and metal fans."[16]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
411mania	7.0/10[18]
Allmusic	[17]
Blabbermouth.net	8/10[19]
Counterculture	[20]
NY Rock	favorable[16]
The Daily	favorable[21]

Stone Sour received generally positive reviews. Most reviewers offered some comparison to that of vocalist Taylor and guitarist Root's other band Slipknot. While reviewing the album, Don Kaye wrote that "it's rare that a musician offers up another venue for their talents that proves to be equal to their fulltime outfit," stating that Stone Sour is one such case.[19] While Rowan Shaeffer of Counterculture states that "Get Inside" is "the closest to Slipknot that Stone Sour get," even comparing it to the Slipknot single "Left Behind". Citing "the chugging rhythm, manic kick-drums and shout-along vocals" as specific elements that are reminiscent of Slipknot, adding that it was "an obvious choice for a single" as it would not alienate their potential audience of Slipknot fans.[20] Jason D. Taylor noted the similarity in lyrical content to that of Slipknot's; however, he stated that vocalist Taylor comes across as less infuriated which "allows the songs themselves to settle smoothly, yet motivate the listener to feel the emotion".[17] NY Rock stated that the album has a "more balanced feel to it" than that of Slipknot's most recent release at that time, Iowa.[16]

Reviewers also noted upon the album's versatility, specifically that of Taylor's vocal range and abilities. Jeff Modzelewski praised the opening track "Get Inside" explaining, "the scorching speed-metal verse and screaming chorus are played off pretty well against the melodic pre-chorus".[18] Jason D. Taylor cited "Orchids" and "Take a Number" as songs which stand out because they "strike with surprising force for an alternative rock group".[17] On a similar note, Don Kaye said the album includes some "sinister, groove-oriented metal gems that refreshingly stay away from nu metal cliches".[19] The most melodic track on the album, "Bother", received specific attention from most reviewers. Modzelewski said that the track "seems to be the song that the album has been preparing everyone for", further adding that Taylor proves "that he is a legitimate vocalist who doesn't need to rely on destroying his vocal cords to make a good song".[18] In his review, Rowan Shaeffer stated the track was a specific highlight, but said that the change in style was "at odds with the rest of the material" on the album.[20]

In 2003, Stone Sour's first single from the album, "Get Inside", was nominated for the Best Metal performance at the 45th Grammy Awards.[22] On March 20, 2003, Stone Sour was certified Gold in the United States.[23] The following year, the album's third single, "Inhale", was also nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 46th Grammy Awards.[24]

Track listing

All lyrics written by Corey Taylor, all music composed and performed by Stone Sour.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Get Inside"	3:13
2.	"Orchids"	4:24
3.	"Cold Reader"	3:41
4.	"Blotter"	4:02
5.	"Choose"	4:17
6.	"Monolith"	3:45
7.	"Inhale"	4:25
8.	"Bother"	4:00
9.	"Blue Study"	4:37
10.	"Take a Number"	3:42
11.	"Idle Hands"	3:56
12.	"Tumult"	4:03
13.	"Omega"	2:52
Total length:		50:57

Japanese bonus tracks

No.	Title	Length
14.	"Inside the Cynic"	3:24
Total length:		54:21

Special Edition bonus tracks

No.	Title	Length
14.	"Rules of Evidence"	3:44
15.	"The Wicked"	4:55
16.	"Inside the Cynic"	3:24
17.	"Kill Everybody"	3:26
18.	"Road Hogs"	3:53
Total length:		70:19

Special Edition music videos

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Inhale"	4:25
2.	"Bother"	4:14
3.	"Get Inside"	3:14

Deluxe Edition bonus CD (Live at House of Bricks, Des Moines, Iowa — December 7, 2001)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Intro (Superego)"
2.	"Get Inside"
3.	"Orchids"
4.	"The Wicked"
5.	"Idle Hands"
6.	"Choose"
7.	"Rules of Evidence"
8.	"Inhale"
9.	"Blue Study"
10.	"Cold Reader"
11.	"Blotter"
12.	"Monolith"

Personnel

Stone Sour Corey Taylor − lead vocals, guitar on track 8, piano on track 12 James Root − lead guitar, backing vocals on tracks 1 and 7 Josh Rand − rhythm guitar, bass guitar on tracks 17 and 18 Shawn Economaki − bass guitar on all tracks except 17 and 18 Joel Ekman − drums on all tracks except 17 and 18 Guest musicians Sid Wilson − turntables on tracks 2, 3 and 6 Denny Gibbs − Hammond organ on tracks 7 and 15 Dan Spain - drums on tracks 17 and 18

Technical personnel Tom Tatman − producer, engineering Jon Chamberlain − additional engineering Toby Wright − mixing Elliot Blakely − mixing assistant Yen-Hue Tan − mixing assistant James Barton − producer, engineering Patrick Thrasher − additional engineering Stephen Marcussen − mastering Art personnel Stuart Whitmore − digital editor Lynda Kusnetz − creative director T42design − art direction, design Ken Schles − photography

Chart positions

Chart (2002)	Peak position
French Albums Chart[25]	131
German Albums Chart[26]	94
Japanese Albums Chart[27]	70
UK Albums Chart[28]	41
US Billboard 200[29]	46

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[30]	Gold	500,000^^
^^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

1. "Corey Taylor Insists His Other Band Is No Slipknot Jr". MTV. 2002-07-11. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
2. "Corey Taylor: I Was Getting Burnt Out On Slipknot". Blabbermouth.net. 2002-08-06. Archived from the original on 2003-01-22. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
3. D'Angelo, Joe (2002-05-16). "Slipknot's Corey, Joey Ready Side Projects". MTV. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
4. "For The Record: Quick News On Kelly Osbourne, Snoop Dogg, Courtney Love, ICP, Jimmy Fallon, Ron Jeremy & More". MTV. 2002-07-11. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
5. D'Angelo, Joe (2002-04-08). "'Spider-Man' Theme To Come Courtesy Of Aerosmith". MTV. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
6. Wiederhorn, Jon (2002-06-14). "Slipknot Members Will Unmask For New Video". MTV. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
7. D'Angelo, Joe (2002-07-24). "Slipknot's Taylor Reveals Two Faces For Stone Sour's 'Bother'". MTV. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
8. "Stone Sour To Embark On Headlining Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 2002-08-31. Archived from the original on 2004-01-16. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
9. "For The Record: Quick News On Foo Fighters, 'Daredevil,' Saliva, Glassjaw, Iron Maiden, Stone Sour & More". MTV. 2003-01-03. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
10. "Powerman 5000, Stone Sour To Team Up For U.S. Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 2003-02-26. Archived from the original on 2004-01-19. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
11. "Zwan, Disturbed, Stone Sour Confirmed For The U.K.'s Download Festival". Blabbermouth.net. 2003-03-12. Archived from the original on 2007-03-18. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
12. "Murderdolls, Stone Sour To Team Up For U.K. Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 2003-05-14. Archived from the original on 2003-10-28. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
13. "Corey Taylor Speaks Out On Being Homeless". Blabbermouth.net. 2003-01-30. Archived from the original on 2003-09-18. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
14. "Slipknot, Ill Nino, Sepultura To Be Featured On 'Freddy Vs. Jason' Soundtrack". Blabbermouth.net. 2003-06-30. Archived from the original on 2007-03-19. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
15. "Stone Sour [CD & DVD]". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
16. "CD Reviews by Bill Ribas and Jeanne Fury". NY Rock. August 2002. Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
17. Taylor, Jason D.. Stone Sour at AllMusic. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
18. Modzelewski, Jeff (2002-09-23). "Stone Sour - Stone Sour Review". 411mania. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
19. Kaye, Don. "Stone Sour album review". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on 2008-05-25. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
20. Shaeffer, Rowan. "Stone Sour (Album Review)". Counterculture. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
21. Hay, Travis (November 7, 2002). "'Stone Sour': Spit It Out". The Daily. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
22. "Grammy Awards Nominees Announced!". Blabbermouth.net. 2003-01-07. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
23. "Stone Sour Debut Certified Gold". Blabbermouth.net. 2003-03-28. Archived from the original on 2004-09-17. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
24. "Metallica, Evanescence Among Winners At 46th Annual Grammy Awards". Blabbermouth.net. 2004-02-08. Archived from the original on 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
25. "French chart". Les Charts. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
26. "Chartverfolgung / Stone Sour / Longplay" (in German). PhonoNet.
27. "ストーン・サワーのCDアルバムランキング、ストーン・サワーのプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE". Oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
28. "Stone Sour UK Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
29. "Stone Sour Billboard Album Charts". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
30. "American album certifications – Stone Sour – Stone Sour". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 20, 2003. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.