Three Days Grace - Life Starts Now Review
Posted by Ben Czajkowski on 09.23.2009
Canadian rock band Three Days Grace returns after a few years with their new record. How does this stand up against the band's previous success?
Tracklist: 1. Bitter Taste 2. Break 3. World So Cold 4. Lost In You 5. The Good Life 6. No More 7. Last To Know 8. Someone Who Cares 9. Bully 10. Without You 11. Goin' Down 12. Life Starts Now
Much has changed in the three years since Three Days Graces' One-X. Since then, Three Days Grace became a radio darling, finding a way to transcend from the modern rock stations to the general rock ones. Anytime I turn on my local rock station (103.9 the X), they spin up "Riot" or some other easily identifiable single to yell along with. So, I step into this review with a certain sense of the band. I have both of their previous albums; I've seen them live a couple times. I like them, but I certainly don't love them. Still, this has to be worth at least a few listens, right?
I'm still mixed on that sentiment.
Right off the bat, I could tell, with Life Starts Now, you're not going to find too many surprises on this album; it's business as usual for the Canadian modern rock group. It's everything that you've come to expect from these guys: the attacking guitar riffs, the angry, often angsty, and easily-relatable lyrics, and the same overly produced façade on everything. I do appreciate Adam Gontier's singing style, though, as it is one of the recognizable ones out there right now and blended nicely on Apocalyptica's "I Don't Care".
This wasn't a hard CD to sit down and listen to. In fact, it was easy to put it on and forget about it because it sounds exactly like the rest of their work. Three Days Grace fans looking for more of the same are going to be pleasantly pleased that their favorite band hasn't strayed too far from their motifs and sound. Anyone looking for some maturity and progression from the band, though (like me), are going to be sorely disappointed, as I was. As one of the more highly anticipated albums coming out this Fall, this one hit the toilet with a devastating plunk.
The CD opens with decent energy, despite the truly tried lyrics, in "Bitter Taste". The first single and second track, "Break", is a bit more radio friendly than what I was expecting from a first single. Then again, if your first two lead singles are "I Hate Everything About You" and "Animal I've Become", you have big shoes to fill. If you watch the music video, included below, they even use more pop friendly colors of pink, black, and white. It does a resounding job of getting stuck in my head, though: "Break away/from everybody/Break!"
"Lost In You" is probably going to be a single for the same reasons that "Never Too Late" was: it's radio friendly, appeals to multiple listeners, is the obligatory, catchy song of affection, and has a certain degree of repeated listenability. It's going to sucker people from the same niche into it again. It's soft, pensive, but it lacks any creativity in the lyrics, blending right in to the backdrop of Life Starts Now.
"The Good Life" is just plain weird, using some voice morphing shit that just doesn't fit with the track at all. "No More" is my favorite track from the album (which says little), exposing a more vulnerable side of the band. It's about as a soft as "Lost In You" but Gontier's vocals are sharper around the edges with the chorus, demanding "What do we all stand for/when we live in fear?". "Last To Know" continues with the softer sounds, an acoustic track with a piano accompaniment that I skip over; it's boring. What can I say about that?
The rest of the album peters out without so much as a challenging track, lyric or riff for the band to throw at the listener. Honestly, by the time I finished "Bully", I was just about done with the same thing over and over again: I had had enough of the self-titled and One-X repackaged and sold back to me. The choruses and hooks were trite, uninviting, and stagnant. This album is going to do remarkable well, probably, and that has to be a good thing for their label, Virgin, who can see the band as a proverbial cash cow.
The 411: Boring, bland, trite, tired, tried, and true are all words that I would use to describe Life Starts Now, the latest from Three Days Grace. This album is victim of lazy lyrics and uninspired riffs that have been repackaged to be resold again. If you're a fan of their first two albums, this will fit nicely into your collection, despite being of lesser quality. I'd avoid it, except for a few tracks.
I heard this album and had the exact same thoughts. Boring, repetitive, lyrically awful slop being repackaged for easy digestion. Modern rock fans would be better off checking out the new Chevelle album.
Posted By: Guest#0449 (Guest) on September 23, 2009 at 12:44 AM
I would have to disagree with mostly everything you said here. This album has a very different sound to it compared to One X. Of course reviews are just based on one persons opinion. I just so happen not to agree with yours.
Posted By: Guest#6856 (Guest) on September 23, 2009 at 01:05 AM
The 411: Boring, bland, trite, tired, tried, and true are all words that I would use to describe Three Days Grace.
Fixed it for ya :)
Posted By: James (Registered) (Guest) on September 23, 2009 at 02:00 AM
so for iv listened to the first four albums and right now in my eyes my fav band is going down the road of my last fav band linkin park ex: went from catchy driving guitars rifts to mainstream bullshit i liked break on the first of september, alot, but now the rest is just dissapointing 3dg go back to some heavier stuff
Posted By: joshdaman123 (Guest) on September 23, 2009 at 02:03 AM
It's less than the band is "tired" and more that it's an experiment with different themes than we're used to hearing from Three Days Grace themselves. Hell, anyone who's a fan of them is used to hearing nothing but angry, scream-along lyrics and heavy guitar riffs, etc.
I actually like the direction this took. I have my favorites on here and it was a pleasant surprise to hear Adam's softer side in "Last to Know"; some artists have only one "thing" they're good at; he's experimenting around and showing his vocal range and talent with different types of songs within this CD. A lot of artists can't even do that much and stick to what "works" instead of trying to branch out. Kudos to TDG for experimenting.
While the entire CD itself isn't going to be an OMG number one favorite? It's still a very good CD that's worth owning, in my opinion, and is staying in my collection for a long, long time.
Posted By: Seiryu (Guest) on September 23, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Well of course it is not going to be hard rock. The album is inspired by one of the band members son's who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Hence all of the focus on living life and feeling down and so forth. Solid album. Not One-X but addiction to drugs and cancer are two completely different things to sing about. They'll get their singles and be back in a few years with some more music that actually means something to them. 8/10
Posted By: ILLST (Guest) on September 23, 2009 at 02:38 PM
i like the direction this album took, it's different from one-x and three days grace. the different songs (i.e softer songs) shows that the band has matured and are trying new things. and adam sounds wonderful as always. my fave tracks are someone who cares and lost in you
Posted By: Cath (Guest) on September 23, 2009 at 05:39 PM
You actually contradicted yourself by saying theres no "maturity and progression from the band" and then later on you say you skip over one of the tracks that is the most divergent from anything they've done so far. They are moving away from the same old college bar thing they've been doing up till now but you're not gonna get accordians or Tool-esque chord progressions any time soon.
Being that one of the members of the band is an uncle to my son, I am slightly biased. That being said, I've told said member which of his new cuts I like better than the rest. And I have been listening to rock 'n' roll for a lot longer than I've know him.
To me this is an album that needs repeated listens to hear the subtle and not so subtle differences.
And its better than the first album in my opinion.
ROCK ON 3DG!!
Posted By: Guest#6645 (Guest) on September 23, 2009 at 05:49 PM
i dont know what happened with this cd but im extremely disappointed, i was looking forward to some brand new three days grace songs, not a bunch of wedding songs, i just hope that breaking benjamin's dear agony isnt as much of a disappointment, at least ffdp released war is the answer on the same day,which is almost as good as life starts now is bad
Posted By: endofanera (Guest) on September 23, 2009 at 07:50 PM
I'm a huge fan of the two previous ablbums, but I gotta say I'm dissappointed with 'Life Starts Now', it's a very bland collection of songs, it sounds & feels like they just couldn't come up with anything catchy so recorded this instead. If they fronted a record company as a new band with these songs they'd never get a contract. Sorry guys.
Posted By: David Crowe (Guest) on September 23, 2009 at 09:22 PM
As a fan of Three Days Grace I was happy with the album, and didn't expect much more than what was recieved. I am a little surprised with the Review saying it has a similar sound to "One-X". It is noticably different. Some of the songs were a bit bland, much like songs on the bands self-titled album. However the band has explored new routes, with both Adam's signing and the way their instruments are played.
Posted By: Andrew (Guest) on September 24, 2009 at 05:38 AM
i disagree first off the self titled album was just pure teenage angst. one-x was depressing because of his drug addiction and his rehabilitation. life starts now is more optimistic with some sad songs but still its new and even though three days grace hasnt changed much their attitude has especially if you listen to all three albums
Posted By: theguitarwolf13 (Guest) on September 24, 2009 at 09:00 AM
the album is gud but is kinda the same as the other albums just not as gud....this album is not one u'd want to sing along to like "ONE X" or THE OTHER ONE .U'LL END UP JUST LISTENING TO IT WISHING U WERE LISTENING TO "one x"
Posted By: jacob bonterre (Guest) on September 24, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Gotta be honest with ya, endofanera, the new Breaking Benjamin looks like it's gonna be pretty weak too. I feel like they've been on a downward slide for a while now. Three Days Grace may not be very good, but at least they're consistently not very good.
Posted By: Guest#0827 (Guest) on September 24, 2009 at 10:41 AM
The first time I listened to the whole album I was bummed and disappointed but after listening a few more times I found myself loving it. I guarantee that if you listen to the album a few times over it will grow on you like most albums. I think people will be initially disappointed cause a lot of it isn't the same as One x or their Debut. Give it a chance and you will love it.
Posted By: Jason (Guest) on September 24, 2009 at 12:52 PM
I would strongly dissagree with this review. They did what normal rock bands don't do: they grew up and developed their music!! They had meaningful lyrics and great riffs. My conclusion: the guy/girl who wrote that review up there has no taste at ALL in good music!
Posted By: JiffyGX (Guest) on October 19, 2009 at 09:31 PM
I agree that Three Days Grace is quite repetitive with their songs, but I think I'll buy the album anyways, because I like Adam's voice and I don't really look to 3DG for much originality anyway.
Posted By: marie (Guest) on November 09, 2009 at 12:08 AM
I myself was sad at how the album came out but three days later i liked every song, i do agree tho, when you first listen to it u think its going to be as epic as 1x. But I thinks its their second greatest album tho.
Posted By: Corwin (Guest) on November 16, 2009 at 12:24 AM
I strongly disagree. I think Good Life is freaking awesome. I hope that's the next single. As for Last to Know, I think they did good at making that. Adam really does a good voice range and you know exactly what he's singing about and know what he's feeling inside.
Posted By: Kris B Cream (Guest) on February 04, 2010 at 11:37 PM
I highly disagree with everything you just said there.... This is Three Days Grace pouring their hearts and souls into lyrics that reflect all of the stuff they've been through. Have you ever once bothered to check out their history? Adam has been addicted to drugs... it ruined his life... they've all had horrible past relationships and breaks up... no duh huh? and i mean really? you skip over last to know lmao. no wonder you dont care... your just so one dimensional... you have very falty opinions. plus they've made their songs lighter, less darks, and have went in a similar, motivating way as their previous albums, but have pushed the envelope to expand on previous albums. 'Nuff said? God... i hate it when people don't look at things from all sides.
Posted By: sarah (Guest) on March 08, 2010 at 09:41 PM
I disagree with almost everything you said: the music is much different from their previous two albums. The softer songs are very symbolic of that. And Last to Know? Boring? It's one of my favorite songs on the album because it has so much meaning in it! I guess you're more of a hard rocker guy; if not, you would have appreciated their new album much more.
Posted By: Tom (Guest) on March 30, 2010 at 10:10 PM
I would disagree with the review. "one X" has a much harder, head banging feel than their new album. "life starts now" exposes more of the bands softer, touchy feely element only shown a couple time in "one X". Granted their new album does have a few singles where you just want to stand up and play air guitar while head banging. All in all it a great album. Bravo three days grace.
Posted By: J.P (Guest) on April 08, 2010 at 01:47 AM
I personally thought that Life Starts Now was a disappointment. I agree that No More was the best track, it was the one song on there that I thought was worth listening. But Lost in You sounded like something Colbie Caillat would sing. And Without you...I think it might be the worst song by Three Days Grace that I've ever heard. I really hope they pick it up next time.
Posted By: Vada (Guest) on April 17, 2010 at 07:06 PM
I have to say that three days graces sound is not the same old boring sound as the last two albums. I dissagree with u on almost everything there u said. For one, they fitted the album with a more hopeful sound instead of the despair like one x. I do have to say that it wasn't as great as I thought it would be but let's face it 1. There's no need to be so critical about the album 2. They showed a lot of versatility in the album and 3. One x was an exceptionally hard album to top. So stop complaining that it's the same original sound because it's not, if u would acctually listen to it insted of skip over the songs if they don't sound "perfect" to your "expectations" then you would find out there is a lot more than meets the eye with this album then u give credit for.
Posted By: Drpepperaddict (Guest) on July 21, 2010 at 05:45 PM
adam y jared
Posted By: itachy (Guest) on November 24, 2010 at 02:20 PM
This album is so different from both the first and the second album! They have grown so much, I absolutely Love how versitile it is. I can't wait for the new year and the new album!
Posted By: Cassandra (Guest) on December 02, 2011 at 03:48 PM
I heard this album and as history has proven, life contains a certain aspect that causes it to evolve and grow stronger over time - it is this very characteristic that Three Days Grace do not seem to have. Life Starts Now is a generic and recycled package that's been done again and again by other similar bands in the past.
Posted By: Abigail (Guest) on December 09, 2011 at 12:06 PM
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