While the standard 2017 FLAC CD is excellent, the Deluxe Edition (often released as 2CD or digital deluxe) is highly recommended for fans, offering a total of 13 additional tracks. This includes: Pared-back versions of original tracks.
Recorded at Sphere Studios in North Hollywood and produced by Jay Ruston alongside the band.
in North Hollywood, the album captures a raw, organic performance that frontman Corey Taylor described as "capturing lightning in a bottle". Metacritic Sonic Evolution and Lineup Shifts
Taylor is widely regarded as one of the greatest vocalists in modern rock history. Hydrograd pushes his voice to its absolute limits, shifting from aggressive, gravelly screams to smooth, melodic crooning. The FLAC CD quality preserves the throat grit, vocal fry, and subtle breath control that define his emotional delivery. Track-by-Track Sonic Analysis
Corey Taylor’s transition from guttural screams to soulful, raspy clean vocals retains its natural grit and throat dynamics. Stone Sour Hydrograd -2017- FLAC CD
Unlike many modern rock albums that rely heavily on digital quantization, sample replacement, and over-compression (the "Loudness Wars"), Ruston and Stone Sour opted for a more organic, live-in-the-room feel. The band tracked much of the album together, which gives the FLAC playback a palpable sense of space and energy. Track-by-Track Audiophile Breakdown
The release solves this dilemma. Ripped directly from the 16-bit/44.1 kHz compact disc, a FLAC file provides bit-perfect, lossless audio replication of the original master. Here is why Hydrograd specifically benefits from this high-fidelity format: 1. Separation of the Dual-Guitar Attack
Ultimately, "Stone Sour Hydrograd -2017- FLAC CD" represents the intersection of great art and great technology. It's for the fan who wants to hear the sweat and spirit of the band's live-off-the-floor recording sessions—the "lightning in a jar" that Corey Taylor spoke of. For the dedicated listener, experiencing this album in high-resolution FLAC isn't just listening; it's witnessing a band at the peak of its powers, captured in perfect, permanent detail.
If you are sold on the format, how do you get it? While the standard 2017 FLAC CD is excellent,
The album’s massive commercial hit, "Song #3," is a masterclass in modern melodic rock production. Through FLAC playback, the transition from the subdued, clean-guitar verses to the wall-of-sound chorus is highly dynamic. The soaring vocal harmonies in the chorus sit perfectly on top of the mix without burying the driving bassline. 3. "Fabulesse" & "Hydrograd"
A country-ballad that showcases a different side of the band, where high-quality audio brings out the texture of acoustic instruments and vocal harmonies. 3. Production and Performance Details
The brilliance of Hydrograd lies in its diversity. From the relentless drive of "Taipei Person/Allah Tea" to the radio-ready hooks of "Song #3" and the experimental grooves of "Rose Red Violent Blue (This Song Is Dumb & So Am I)," the album showcases Corey Taylor’s incredible vocal range and the band's technical prowess. When you listen to this record in a lossless FLAC format, you aren't just hearing the songs; you are hearing the room. The punch of Roy Mayorga’s drums and the intricate layering of Josh Rand and Christian Martucci’s guitars are preserved with a clarity that MP3s simply cannot replicate.
The album's breakout commercial hit, "Song #3," is a brilliant piece of melodic hard rock songwriting. While it is undeniably radio-friendly, the production is incredibly deep. Layered acoustic guitars sit quietly beneath the electric rhythm tracks to add texture and body. The lossless format brings these hidden acoustic layers to the forefront, giving the song a warm, rich foundation that lossy formats lose entirely. 5. Fabuless in North Hollywood, the album captures a raw,
Musically, the record marked a shift toward a more traditional, "kick-ass rock and roll" sound compared to the complex, conceptual storytelling of the previous House of Gold & Bones double albums. Bassist Johny Chow described the material as having a stronger "groove" feel with massive, melodic choruses. Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Hydrograd (LP) - Stone Sour
Stone Sour’s sixth studio album, Hydrograd, released in 2017, is a hard-rock record that blends heavy riffs, melodic hooks, and varied songwriting influences. It marks a stylistic expansion from the band’s earlier, darker sound into more arena-ready, classic-rock‑tinged territory. The album was produced by Jay Ruston and features Corey Taylor (vocals), Josh Rand (guitar), Christian Martucci (guitar), Johny Chow (bass), and Roy Mayorga (drums). Hydrograd yielded several singles and earned critical and commercial attention for its songwriting ambition and wide stylistic palette.
Cymbals sound metallic, compressed, and watery.
Johnny Chow’s bass guitar and Roy Mayorga’s kick drum remain distinct rather than muddying together.
The title track and its companion pieces show off the heavier, groove-oriented side of the band. The precision of Mayorga’s double-bass drumming shines here; each stroke of the pedal is distinct and impactful, retaining its transient punch. 4. "St. Marie"