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Rock band Staind happy with diverse new album

Staind has certainly made its mark this year. The rock band’s new album from Flip/Atlantic — which peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s charts after its August debut — has elements of a new sound while returning to what lead guitarist Mike Mushok calls earlier influences. Staind’s sixth studio album, “The Illusion of Progress,” follows 2005’s platinum-certified album “Chapter V.”

The band’s last three studio albums debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts, and the group has sold more than 12 million records, including the hit singles “It’s Been Awhile” and “Right Here.”

Currently in the midst of an international tour, Staind will wrap up its U.S. dates in December before heading to Europe.

Mushok recently talked about the progress made with the band’s latest album, the group’s first noteworthy and unintentional pop song, “All I Want,” and — really — the importance of looking at guitars on eBay.

Question: What do you think about your latest album? I know you guys did some new things. You have a guitar solo and use a standard guitar over your customary baritone. It has a more optimistic feel in the lyrics, with songs like “Believe” and “Save Me.” Would you agree with that?

Answer: For sure. I think Aaron (Lewis) gets a tough rap for the lyrics. People label us as a darker type of band. I don’t think that’s the case. I think overall I’m proud of the way the record came out. I think that going into a studio, after you spend time on the road, there’s always a bit of nervousness. You go in with something and wonder what will we end up with? You want to make sure it’s good. I think we did a really good job this time around. We took steps, trying to improve as a band and also write some better songs.

Q: The song “All I Want” has been referenced as your first pop song. Talk a little about the track.

A: It has that pop feel. When the music starts, it has that feel to it. I don’t know what it is. It was non-intentional, but it was the way it came out.

Q: On the opposite spectrum, “The Corner” almost sounds haunting. Would you say this album has more of a variety?

A: I think we definitely explored some things we haven’t before. Some of it is more about our earlier influences than where we came from. I think this kind of goes back to some bluesier stuff that we may have listened to in the past and things of that nature.

Q: What is the significance of the album title?

A: It can be applied to many different things. It really came about from being in the studio. Aaron (Lewis) was working on some lyrics in the studio — or not, I guess I should say. Sometimes it’s hard to be creative when you have to be. Sometimes it comes, sometimes it doesn’t. We were sitting around looking at guitars on eBay. That’s where the title “Illusion of Progress” came from — being in the studio, realizing we should be doing some work. Sometimes there’s nothing better to do than to just let it be for a while. Fortunately we’ve always been very lucky because what needs to happen eventually does.

Q: You worked on the album with producer Johnny K, who also has worked with Three Doors Down and Avenged Sevenfold. Were you still able to be creative on the album?

A: I think he really played a big part in obviously getting the sound of the record. He’s a very creative guy. He always has an idea — that’s all you can really ask for. As long as you have ideas to pick through, you’re moving forward. For me, working with him was great. It was very productive and a good experience.

Q: You’ve been in Staind since the band started in 1994. You guys have even produced a greatest hits album. What’s next?

A: Aaron (Lewis) wants to do a solo record. He’ll put that out, and we’ll do another record after he does that. Right now the plan is to get this record out there and just go. So far things seem to be going well.

On the Web: Official Staind site