3 Doors Down returns with their sophomore album, “Away From The Sun”. Where their debut was a rock album, the focus has slightly shifted towards a more mainstream pop/rock sound on this new album. Some will say this album is overproduced, and in a way it is. But the slick production kinda fits with the songs. Very radio-friendly and comfortably performed songs in a good total package. Another strong effort by a band that’s gonna keep on peaking the charts.
When I’m Gone
Great opener of the album. When I’m Gone is one of those alternative (pop)/rock songs that you are moving your head to, shouting along. Something you turn up the volume for when you hear it on the radio when you’re driving home from work. Absolutely one of the better songs on the album.
Away From The Sun
Hit song! First thought that comes to mind. The title track of this album is a great ballad, and though overproduced, Arnold’s vocals shine through brilliantly. The song just clicks, so to say.
The Road I’m On
The Road I’m On is one of those songs that I keep coming back to. Without going too far, this song has an alternative edge that makes it sound refreshing. Brad Arnold really shows himself as a great vocalist on this song and musically 3 Doors Down, once again, shows how tight of a band they are. This is also why they are such a popular live band.
Ticket To Heaven
Not really one of my favorites on the CD. It’s a good song, no doubt about it. But if there’s one song that I’d skip, it would be this one. For some reason it doesn’t really convince me. Everything works in the song, but where most 3 Doors Down songs have something that lifts them up to a higher level, that something is missing for me in this song. I heard them play this song live once though, and the live version of this song is a whole other story. It’s an amazing live song and it’s a shame they don’t play it more often.
Running Out Of Days
Best song on the album! Running Out Of Days never was a CD single, and I’m still wondering why not. Maybe they figured it was a little too heavy for radio? I wouldn’t know why. It has a cool alternative edge, but it has great hooks and is mainstream enough to become a huge radio hit. When played live, 3 Doors Down often speeds it up a tiny bit, which, IMO, makes the song shine even more. Also, you should hear this song without vocals, and focus on how the instruments interact with eachother beautifully. Great musicianship, superb vocals and excellent lyrics. Keep it that ways.
Here Without You
3 Doors Down biggest hit to date. Here Without You has everything to succeed as a radio single, and so it did. The song itself, however, is below 3 Doors Down’s standards. It’s a proved concept and well performed, but 3 Doors Down has always shown a level of freshness and creativity within a genre that’s been tried and tried since the emergence of rock & roll. Here Without You sounds like plenty of other songs out there. This doesn’t mean it’s a bad song, not at all. I’m just saying that 3 Doors Down is capable of doing even better.
I Feel You
Perhaps, together with Dangerous Game, the most alternative song on the album. It shows that 3 Doors Down has a certain diversity in their music, but are still capable of maintaining that typical ‘3DD sound’. It’s a song that had to grow on me, but it surely did. Good pace and great lyrics too.
Dangerous Game
Where for almost the whole album, 3 Doors Down is operating in their comfort zone, I feel they’re stepping out of that zone during this song. I do love the energy in this song, but maybe they tried a little too hard on this song. It just doesn’t feel right. 3 Doors Down usually stands out in melodic songs that have catchy hooks and good energy. And though the energy is great in this song, I kinda miss the melodic standard 3 Doors Down is so good in.
Changes
One of my favorite songs. Amazing guitar work on this song. Great contrast between softer and louder, between slower and faster. The song has a great up and down feel, and when you listen to the words, you’ll hear that the lyrics are from high standards as well. This is one of those songs where a band shows aht they’re made of. And in the case of 3 Doors Down, it’s pure class.
Going Down In Flames
This would’ve killed on rock radio. It’s such a great and fun rock song, with amazing melodic qualities and great energy. And believe me, you really want to hear this when you see 3 Doors Down live. Everyone’ll be jumping and singing along. Probably the best ‘live song’ on the album. Also one of the songs I keep playing. Great work on the drums too.
Sarah Yellin’
One of 3 Doors Down’s ‘harder’ songs. I think like with Dangerous Game, 3 Doors Down isn’t quite in their comfort zone on this song. However, it’s still a good listen. Even when 3 Doors Down does something that is (slightly) out of their comfort zone, this band is professional enough to make it sound right. Sarah Yellin’ is a good example of that.
This Time
This Time, pretty much bonus material, sound like just that. And it’s an interesting song. In a way it reminds me of Dutch band “16 Down” with the haunting, rolling vocals leading up to a climax, supported by tight instrumentals, then building down again to lead to the next climax. Good song, but I think the choice was right to put it on the CD as bonus material.
With “Away From The Sun”, 3 Doors Down is, even more, marking their territory and letting everyone know they’re here to stay. A great mainstream rock album with a lot of very radio-friendly songs. It has to be nothing less than an absolute hit-album.
When I’m Gone
Great opener of the album. When I’m Gone is one of those alternative (pop)/rock songs that you are moving your head to, shouting along. Something you turn up the volume for when you hear it on the radio when you’re driving home from work. Absolutely one of the better songs on the album.
Away From The Sun
Hit song! First thought that comes to mind. The title track of this album is a great ballad, and though overproduced, Arnold’s vocals shine through brilliantly. The song just clicks, so to say.
The Road I’m On
The Road I’m On is one of those songs that I keep coming back to. Without going too far, this song has an alternative edge that makes it sound refreshing. Brad Arnold really shows himself as a great vocalist on this song and musically 3 Doors Down, once again, shows how tight of a band they are. This is also why they are such a popular live band.
Ticket To Heaven
Not really one of my favorites on the CD. It’s a good song, no doubt about it. But if there’s one song that I’d skip, it would be this one. For some reason it doesn’t really convince me. Everything works in the song, but where most 3 Doors Down songs have something that lifts them up to a higher level, that something is missing for me in this song. I heard them play this song live once though, and the live version of this song is a whole other story. It’s an amazing live song and it’s a shame they don’t play it more often.
Running Out Of Days
Best song on the album! Running Out Of Days never was a CD single, and I’m still wondering why not. Maybe they figured it was a little too heavy for radio? I wouldn’t know why. It has a cool alternative edge, but it has great hooks and is mainstream enough to become a huge radio hit. When played live, 3 Doors Down often speeds it up a tiny bit, which, IMO, makes the song shine even more. Also, you should hear this song without vocals, and focus on how the instruments interact with eachother beautifully. Great musicianship, superb vocals and excellent lyrics. Keep it that ways.
Here Without You
3 Doors Down biggest hit to date. Here Without You has everything to succeed as a radio single, and so it did. The song itself, however, is below 3 Doors Down’s standards. It’s a proved concept and well performed, but 3 Doors Down has always shown a level of freshness and creativity within a genre that’s been tried and tried since the emergence of rock & roll. Here Without You sounds like plenty of other songs out there. This doesn’t mean it’s a bad song, not at all. I’m just saying that 3 Doors Down is capable of doing even better.
I Feel You
Perhaps, together with Dangerous Game, the most alternative song on the album. It shows that 3 Doors Down has a certain diversity in their music, but are still capable of maintaining that typical ‘3DD sound’. It’s a song that had to grow on me, but it surely did. Good pace and great lyrics too.
Dangerous Game
Where for almost the whole album, 3 Doors Down is operating in their comfort zone, I feel they’re stepping out of that zone during this song. I do love the energy in this song, but maybe they tried a little too hard on this song. It just doesn’t feel right. 3 Doors Down usually stands out in melodic songs that have catchy hooks and good energy. And though the energy is great in this song, I kinda miss the melodic standard 3 Doors Down is so good in.
Changes
One of my favorite songs. Amazing guitar work on this song. Great contrast between softer and louder, between slower and faster. The song has a great up and down feel, and when you listen to the words, you’ll hear that the lyrics are from high standards as well. This is one of those songs where a band shows aht they’re made of. And in the case of 3 Doors Down, it’s pure class.
Going Down In Flames
This would’ve killed on rock radio. It’s such a great and fun rock song, with amazing melodic qualities and great energy. And believe me, you really want to hear this when you see 3 Doors Down live. Everyone’ll be jumping and singing along. Probably the best ‘live song’ on the album. Also one of the songs I keep playing. Great work on the drums too.
Sarah Yellin’
One of 3 Doors Down’s ‘harder’ songs. I think like with Dangerous Game, 3 Doors Down isn’t quite in their comfort zone on this song. However, it’s still a good listen. Even when 3 Doors Down does something that is (slightly) out of their comfort zone, this band is professional enough to make it sound right. Sarah Yellin’ is a good example of that.
This Time
This Time, pretty much bonus material, sound like just that. And it’s an interesting song. In a way it reminds me of Dutch band “16 Down” with the haunting, rolling vocals leading up to a climax, supported by tight instrumentals, then building down again to lead to the next climax. Good song, but I think the choice was right to put it on the CD as bonus material.
With “Away From The Sun”, 3 Doors Down is, even more, marking their territory and letting everyone know they’re here to stay. A great mainstream rock album with a lot of very radio-friendly songs. It has to be nothing less than an absolute hit-album.