3 Doors Down - 3 Doors Down Review
Posted by Byron Lee on 05.28.2008
The Boys From Mississippi Rock On
Their Story:
3 Doors Down formed in 1994 in Escatawpa, Mississippi. After releasing a self-titled album locally in 1997, the band it big in 2000 with "Kryptonite." Their major label debut, The Better Life, on which the hit was featured, was steeped in post-grunge angst, anchored by Brad Arnold's emotive singing. The album also spawned "Loser," "Duck and Run," and "Be Like That," and sold six million copies. Since that success, the group has released two solid albums (The 2002's quadruple platinum Away From the Sun, which featured "When I'm Gone," and 2005's million-selling Seventeen Days, which spawned the hit "Let Me Go."). Since they’ve been in the spotlight, the group has become as much known for the causes they champion as for their music. Their support of the men and women of the Armed Forces is no secret (The video for "When I'm Gone" served as a tribute to them.) and, through a foundation named after their breakthrough album, they’ve held benefit concerts for hurricane relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The Band:
Brad Arnold-Vocals
Chris Henderson-Guitar
Matt Roberts-Guitar
Todd Harrell-Bass
Greg Upchurch-Drums
The Album:
On May 20, 2008, Republic/Universal released 3 Doors Down's eponymous fourth album.
The Songs: 8.0
1. "Train"
2. "Citizen/Soldier"
3. "It's Not My Time"
4. "Let Me Be Myself"
5. "Pages"
6. "It's the Only One You've Got"
7. "Give It to Me"
8. "These Days"
9. "Your Arms Feel Like Home"
10. "Runaway"
11. "When It's Over"
12. "She Don't Want the World"
3 Doors Down’s bread and butter is the fact that they put a classic/country rock spin on pop songs that let each listener bring their own experience, and thus, their own meaning, to them. Therefore, it is puzzling that the album begins with the lackluster "Train." The song rocks hard, but, as with lead single "It's Not My Time," something's missing. The sentiments being expressed, here, (the need for experience in route to personal growth and the need to resist being counted out in any aspect of life, respectively) are universal, but the emotional connection is no where to be found. You want to pump your fist, but you're not truly given a reason to.
Thankfully sandwiched between these songs is "Citizen/Soldier,” a rousing, heartfelt tribute to the National Guard. The song begins in a low key fashion, with percussion and sparse guitar tones. The piece gradually builds to a bridge where Brad Arnold’s voice (the group’s biggest asset) coveys the role of a guardsperson with poetic impact.
I'm right beside you
Though you may not see me
The strongest among you
May not wear a crown
The album hits its stride, when the focus turns to similarly emotional territory. “Let Me Be Myself,” which would have been my choice for first single, is kind of a close cousin to Better Life's "Be Like That." "Pages" and "It's The Only One You've Got," which follow “Let Me Be Myself” in sequence, are equally cathartic. Furthermore, "Your Arms Feel Like Home” is a heart wrenching ballad and the standout moment of the album.
The group is also effective when they deviate from the beaten path. "Runaway" is an uptempo "Lovers On The Run" song reminiscent of early John Mellencamp, while the kiss-off "When It's Over" contains the heaviest riffs on the album. The atmospheric feel of "She Don't Want The World" ends the album on a subdued note.
There are a few more missteps ("Give It To Me" is a fun, but ultimately empty exercise in the hard rocking "Let's Stop Fighting And Get It On" canon, and “These Days” is a lethargic take on the longing that accompanies the end of a relationship.), but the only major drawback to the album is also the band's biggest asset: the earnestness, or, more to the point, the lack of a break from it. It's refreshing, however, that on a music landscape populated by wannabe drug dealers, winking hipsters, and prefabricated pop sirens, that there is a successful group that is not trying to be something they're not.
The 411: 3 Doors Down definitely has a formula (powerful lead vocals, heart-tugging arrangements, and sincerity by the gallon), but they are skillful in executing it. 3 Doors Down is another solid collection.
Posted By: 3 doors sucks (Guest) on May 28, 2008 at 12:00 PM
I love how they haven't evolved whatsoever as a band.
3 Doors Down blow hard.
Posted By: Kent Baker (Guest) on May 28, 2008 at 02:51 PM
CD is Good dont matter what anyone else says. And I love how emo boys 1 and 2 aka the other commenters offer no intelligence what so ever. Just a Bunch of grumblings because they have nothing better to do but sit at home and critque a review. Good review, Good Cd, 3DD is good in concert too.
Posted By: Matt (Guest) on May 28, 2008 at 09:24 PM
=\ it kills me to read the comments of illiterate music listeners. 3 doors down is by far a great band that continues to grow and grow. so i suggest that the two people below that are giving 3 doors down a bad wrap that you actually open your ears and stop steryo-typing this band. this amazing wonderful band has so much great musical talent to show the world, and theres no way that i or any of the other loyal fans will let you stop their progress. and no NOT ALL OF THEIR ALBUMS ARE THE EXACT SAME. if you actually listen like i mentioned earlier you hear a whole lot more, the band has explored a lot more with the vocals and guitair leads. and no other band out there is willing to take risks like 3 doors down is, such as their new song Train, its great. but however, putting it as the first song on their new AMAZING album was a risk, that they made, and so far has worked out just great for them. so before you go putting down a band. acutally listen to the band and if you still dont like this amazing band after that, then it's your lost, because i am and always will be a loyal 3 doors down fan. deal with it!
Posted By: 3doorsdownloverrr (Guest) on July 30, 2008 at 03:25 PM
