This album's title refers to its 14 songs, but if I were Staind, I would've called it One Fucking Depressing Shade of Grey. As expected, every track contains singer Aaron Lewis' trademark whining, and the booklet is full of pictures of the band looking like someone shit in their cereal. Maybe they're so bummed because every song they've written sounds the same, or maybe it's just that their record fails to kick any kind of ass. Indeed, even the heaviest tracks are pussy songs. But it's the music's catchiness that really makes it insufferable; every song's chorus is repeated so many times that I felt like I was listening to (insert overplayed song here) 14 times.

But with "Layne," an obvious reference to late Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley, Staind reaches a new low. Their revolting attempt at writing an Alice in Chains song would make any fan of that band want to vomit. Guys, leave the tribute duties to someone who actually knew the guy, or, at the very least, someone who doesn't suck.

With 14 Shades of Grey, Staind prove they're on the same level with n