Shinedown: Amaryllis

"No one needs you after all

That little social scene

It’s just a hate machine

No one’s here to take your call

And now your self esteem

Ain’t what it used to be

You’ve inspired

The birth of ignorance

The death of innocence

Guess who’s back and mad as hell

The nowhere kids that wished you well

Nowhere!

Kids

Nowhere!

Kids

Nowhere!"

Label(s): Atlantic (US), Roadrunner (International)

Genre(s): Alternative Rock, Hard Rock, Post-Grunge

Year: 2012

Track List:

1. Adrenaline

2. Bully

3. Amaryllis

4. Unity

5. Enemies

6. I'm Not Alright

7. Nowhere Kids

8. Miracle

9. I'll Follow You

10. For My Sake

11. My Name (Wearing Me Out)

12. Though the Ghost

Quite possibly one of the best things to come out of Florida, Shinedown hails from Jacksonville. They're sound is a force to be reckoned with and they're live shows are something to behold. I've never personally seen Shinedown live, but from the people that I know who have, they've told me that it's an experience they won't soon be forgetting. Shinedown always goes above and beyond the call in order to make they're fans happy. Because, let's face it, in the music industry, if the fan's aren't happy, nobody is happy.

Shinedown has had major success in the WWE Universe, having songs such as "I Dare You", "Adrenaline", "Sound of Madness", "Energy" and "Devour" have all been used in one way or another by the sports entertainment giant, with the song "Energy" being used as the show's newest theme.

I heard Shinedown several years ago with the song "Devour". If I remember right, it was another stumble find for me. But ever since, Shinedown has been one of my favorite "generic rock" groups I listen to. The sound, the passion, everything about this band screams "for the fans!". And the fourth record, "Amaryllis", is no exception.

From start to finish, this record hits hard and plays harder. With a couple of breaks into power ballads such as "Unity", "Miracle" and "Amaryllis", this record has a little bit of something for everyone. But if the power ballads aren't your thing, they've got some harder songs for you such as "Bully", "Adrenaline", "Nowhere Kids" and "Enemies" to name a few.

Overall, this album is a must have for your collection. Unless you are a die hard metal fan, then, well, I got nothing for ya. At least, not yet. But to put this album in a nutshell, I would have to say what I've been saying: Hits Hard, Plays Harder.

Shinedown's "Amaryllis" gets a 9.8/10. Why? "I'll Follow You". Not my favorite Shinedown song on this record...But it got a great score, so no reason to complain.

As always, I'm your host, M. Watts. Keep Rockin'!