Stone Sour (album)

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. Speaking about the experience, Taylor said, "we just started writing stuff and it started to happen". 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!" Before the release of the album, the band went through several different names, most notably Superego, ==Marketing==

Prior to the release of the album, the track "Bother" was featured on the soundtrack to the film Spider-Man; however, it was only credited to Corey Taylor. 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. Released shortly after, "Bother" also featured a music video. Throughout October and November 2002, Stone Sour toured the United States in support of the album with Chevelle and Sinch. In 2003, the band continued to tour in support of the album; including a European tour with Saliva, an American tour with Powerman 5000, several appearances at European festivals, a UK tour with Murderdolls, amongst others. The third single from the album, "Inhale," was released in early 2003, shortly after the previously unreleased track "Inside the Cynic" was featured on the soundtrack for Freddy vs. Jason. 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. ==Musical style==

Corey Taylor touted Stone Sour as "melodic hard rock with content and initiative." 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. Jason Taylor went on to state the album gets better after multiple listens. Jeff Modzelewski of 411mania wrote the album mixed "hostility, reservation, brutality and melody." According to Modzelewski, the album has a "mainstream sound" with each of the band's members standing out during one song or another. 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." "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." ==Critical reception==

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. Rowan Shaeffer of Counterculture stated that "Get Inside" is "the closest to Slipknot that Stone Sour get," even comparing it to the Slipknot single "Left Behind". He cited "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. 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". 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. 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". 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". On March 20, 2003, Stone Sour was certified Gold in the United States. The following year, the album's third single, "Inhale", was also nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 46th Grammy Awards. ==Track listing==

Stone Sour • Corey Taylor − vocals, guitar on track 8, piano on track 12 • James Root − guitar on all tracks except 13, 17 and 18 • Josh Rand − guitar on all tracks except 13, bass guitar on tracks 17 and 18 • Shawn Economaki − bass guitar on all tracks except 13, 17 and 18 • Joel Ekman − drums on all tracks except 13, 17 and 18 Additional personnel • 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, mixing on tracks 17 and 18 • Stone Sour – producer • Josh Rand – producer on tracks 17 and 18 • Jon Chamberlain − additional engineering • Toby Wright − mixing • Elliot Blakely − mixing assistant • Yen-Hue Tan − mixing assistant • James Barton − producer on "Bother", engineering on "Bother", mixing on "Bother", string arrangement on "Bother" • Corey Taylor − producer on "Bother" • Patrick Thrasher − engineering on "Bother", pro tools editing on "Bother", string arrangement on "Bother" • J.J. Farriss – string arrangement on "Bother" • Stephen Marcussen − mastering • Paul Logus – remastering on deluxe vinyl edition, mastering on live tracks • Stewart Whitmore – digital editing Art personnel • Lynda Kusnetz − creative director • T42design − art direction, design • Ken Schles − photography • Sean Mosher Smith – reissue design • Josh Rand – reissue front and back cover photography ==Charts==

Weekly charts Year-end charts ==Certifications==