When a band releases a best of albums before Christmas it usually signals a cash grab for both the band and their label. In the case of Staind’s new album, ‘The Singles: 1996-2006’, this is not the case. It seems as if Staind are finishing a chapter of their career and starting a new one. The chapter that the band seems to be closing is the one in which they took the reigns of the fading Nu-Metal genre and turned it into an Alternative Metal movement.

The introspective album of hits looks back on the bands journey from their humble beginnings to the present. From the heavy hit “Mudshovel” to the smash hit “It’s Been Awhile” everything is included on this collection. The album also features a few live tracks, most of which are covers that the band recorded when they played in New York this past year. To top it all off the band even included a remastered version of “Come Again” off of their independently released debut record ‘Tormented’.

The real selling point of the album is the live performances. Staind masterfully covers three of their favorite bands in an acoustic fashion. Alice In Chains’ “Nutshell” is a somber reminder of a band that paved the way for bands like Staind. Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” shows how much a great band from the past has influenced a top band from today. Finally, Tool’s “Sober” displays how much respect Staind has for their peers who are working just as hard to get their music out to a new generation.

This amalgamation of hits is an excellent representation of what the band has accomplished and what it might be capable of in the future. I look forward to hearing what lead singer Aaron Lewis might do with his solo career and what the new Staind album will potentially sound like.