Through the Eyes

Many lyrics on Through the Eyes are drawn from Chris Volz' difficult childhood and adolescence. Flaw formed in 1996, when guitarist Jason Daunt placed an advertisement for another guitarist and Volz answered. They then recorded their first independent record, American Arrogance in 1997. In 2000, Flaw played at CBGB in New York City, when they were noticed by Republic and Universal Records executives and signed a deal with the labels. With producer David Bottrill, they recorded at Sound City in Los Angeles in early 2001. ==Music and lyrics==

Described as nu metal, and "Reliance" have an aggressive sound, and "My Letter" and "Best I Am" are softer. The album has been compared to the music of Disturbed, Volz said about the song, "Everything in that song touches from sadness to anger to grief to blaming myself to confusion. I just really wanted to go as deep into it as I possibly could and still be able to come back. She was the one who got me into music. She was an operatic singer, and for me to go wholly into music has kept a part of her alive inside of me". "Only the Strong" is "really about realizing you have the power to feel about yourself the way you want and everyone else can fuck off. There are so many people that will try to bring you down, so instead of listening to what those people have to say, besides from family, friends, and loved ones. Just knowing that you are strong and that will help everyone survive". ==Promotion, release and critical reception==

Promotion and release Through the Eyes was released by Universal, Uptown and Republic Records on October 30, 2001. and has sold over 150,000 copies. "Only the Strong" appears on the soundtrack for The Scorpion King, which sold 90,000 copies in the week after its release. before climbing to number five. The song "Get Up Again" was featured in the soundtrack to the 2004 video game MX Unleashed, as well as for UFC 2009: Undisputed. Critical reception Through the Eyes received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. According to Mark Jenkins of the Washington Post, "Like Sevendust, Flaw is apparently still smarting from childhood trauma" and, ultimately, "Flaw lets its guard down". ThePRP gave Through the Eyes 3.5 out of 5, and said that the album "is a strong showing from a band who have a lot to offer". It praised the album's musicianship, saying that the only "flaw" was that Flaw "could benefit from trimming some of the proverbial fat a bit closer to the bone next time out, because in their current state, they at times can feel a bit too long winded and unnecessary". AntiGUY of AntiMUSIC gave Through the Eyes four smiley faces and wrote that the album "is the perfect counter argument to those who would casually dismiss the nu metal genre as only simplistic drop tuned guitars pounding out unremitting powerchords and primal screaming vocals". AntiGUY praised Volz' vocals, comparing Flaw to Factory 81 and A Perfect Circle. According to Brian O'Neill of AllMusic, "A few catchy tracks – such as the lead single, "Payback," and the eerie "My Letter" – are surrounded by filler that fails to stick". However, O'Neill called Volz' singing "powerful and melodious". Andy Schwegler wrote that Through the Eyes "is perfect if you want 13 tracks of jamming for your car, but it ultimately runs thin in the long run". ==Album cover==

The album cover depicts a pensive-looking young boy with a zipped-shut mouth. Volz elaborates: "The cover of our album is a 12-year-old little boy who doesn't look like he's in pain, but it looks like he's got a world of things he wants to say, but his mouth is zippered shut. And that's kind of the way I felt throughout most of my childhood." ==Track listing==

All music written and arranged by Flaw. Lyrics by Chris Volz. ==Personnel==

Adapted from AllMusic. ;Flaw • Chris Volz – lead vocals • Jason Daunt – guitar, keyboards • Ryan Jurhs – bass, backing vocals • Chris Ballinger – drums • Lance Arny – guitar ;Production • David Bottrill – producer, engineer, mixing • Phil Broussaard – assistant engineer • Justin Pynes – mixing assistant • Brian Paturalski – mixing assistant • Bob Ludwig – mastering ;Artwork • Sandy Brummels – creative director • Karen Walker – art direction, design • Clay Patrick McBridge – photography ==Chart positions==