3 Doors Down releases it’s 3rd studio album. After the successes of “The Better Life” & “Away From The Sun”, the pressure on 3 Doors Down is high. But they manage to lay down a splendid album, perhaps their best one, musically, in a very short time. A collection of great modern rock tunes with strong vocals by Brad Arnold and sensitive lyrics. A must have for everyone who likes this kind of music.
1. Right Where I Belong
Starting off with the shortest track on the album, Brad & the boys are rocking out to the max. Great vocals, energy-driven guitars and fiery drums bring you in a real rock-mood. The bass is really important in this song even though you really need to focus on it to hear it. Right Where I Belong is a good opener. For the album as well as live. Guitar and vocals are the strongest points on this one. Drums are a little flat and the song is kinda repetitive. But all in all quite a good song.
2. It’s Not Me
Most likely up to be the 2nd single off the album. I think that’s a great choice. It’s actually an older song that was modified for the album Great lyrics. Great ability to rock out to when it’s played live. The complete package is there. Great bass lines and good rockin’ guitars. Oldschool 3 Doors Down on this one. The way we want to hear them. Brad’s vocals are really performed to the max to on this one. Guitar riffs are excellent and the drums are so energetic that this song will really take off and might be as big as Kryptonite was once.
3. Let Me Go
Let Me Go was the first single off the record and it’s still doing pretty well. Let Me Go has a perfect radio format. Builds up the excitement really well. Has a great live potential and has good lyrics. Also Brad’s vocals are really clear and the guitar riffs are very catchy. The drum and bass keep the rythm steady and keep the song from taking off too soon. But the chorus is really oldschool 3 Doors Down again. Pure modern rock & roll. Genuine & honest.
4. Be Somebody
The lyrics of Be Somebody are fabulous. So is the guitar on this track. Even though it’s not one of the heavier songs on the album the music really fits to the mood the lyrics set. The bass on this track is so professional. I really loved hearing that. There are a few great bass lines throughout the song. The drums are on a good pace and complete the song. Especially cause Brad’s vocals are really really clear. It’s one of my favorites off the album.
5. Landing in London
Rock & Roll legend Bob Seger worked with 3 Doors Down on this track. You can really hear his influence. It brought a nice touch to it. It’s a potential megahit all over the world. Brad’s vocals are better than ever and then the song gets slowly going more instruments are added than just the guitar and the song gets this volume without losing rythm or power. Bob Seger really is an asset to the song too. It’s mainstream yet creative. This is the song that’s gonna keep 3 Doors Down on the high spot they are now.
6. The Real Life
Genuine and pure rock song. It was my favorite after the first few listens. But it misses the geniality that’s in Landing in London. But this song is the perfect live song and also it’s a song that has awesome lyrics. “I won’t stop now until I’ve found a better part of me.”. Don’t we all identify with that? The intro of the song is amazing. First the guitar & bass, then the addition of drums. It all fits. Great song. Brad sings very good again and the rythm & energy of this song are splendid.
7. Behind Those Eyes
Behind Those Eyes is a track I see fit for radio too. It starts with a great melodic intro. Drums are a little flat but the melodic guitar lines make up for that. The bass doesn’t add something extra but it’s very professional. Then the chorus brings all the energy at once. The lyrics are decent but not outstanding as they are in some other songs on the record. Good song, not brilliant.
8. Never Will I Break
This is a pure rock song again. One of the heaviest songs on the album. But I don’t find it overwhelming. Could do pretty well live and the vocals are good. Especially together with the backing vocals. But this song can’t keep my attention for too long. Personally I see this one as the weakest track on the album. There’s a lot of energy and the instrumentals are well-balanced but it’s just not brilliant. 3 Doors Down can do better.
9. Father’s Son
Another amazing track. Splendid intro with the guitar. Then the energy starts off. Extra guitar, bass & drums. And then there’s the pace again when Brad starts singing. And at that moment you are blown away. This song, which is actually pretty old is definately gonna be one of the fans’ favorites. It’s one of mine for sure. It’s the other überbrilliant track on this album. Not on the last place cause of the controversial lyrics. “The one hand throws the whiskey, and the other throws the gun/As he cries out to the heavens/I am not my father’s son.” or “He said don’t try to scream now/but I want this one to hurt/and tonight my pretty one/I’m gonna get my money’s worth.”
10. Live For Today
Live For Today is a good pure rock & roll song again. I love it when 3 Doors Down gets all oldschool. They seem to get back to their soul when they do that. They are most comfortable with those kind of songs. The guitars, bass & drums are on their best when they do that. And Brad shows he’s a gifted singer too. This would be a great song to open the live set with to set the mood. Pretty good stuff. Trust me.
11. My World
I love how this song works on to a climax. Brad’s vocals are pretty good but he did better on other tracks. Guitar riffs are really professional while the bass ties the whole thing together. The drums are a little flat again. The lyrics are pretty good. Another good song for a live set I think. Wouldn’t fit to be a single but it’s a good song to rock out to. It had to grow on me before I really liked it.
12. Here By Me
This song reminds me of their last album, Away From The Sun. It feels like it was written for that album but didn’t make the cut. Nonetheless it’s an awesome track. Amazing lyrics, crystalclear vocals, brilliant drums, professional bass and laid-back guitars. How else would you want to end an album. Good stuff.
Although there were high expectations for this 3rd studio album, 3 Doors Down knows exactly what their strengths and weaknesses are. They delivered another strong album that is an icon for modern-day mainstream rock.
1. Right Where I Belong
Starting off with the shortest track on the album, Brad & the boys are rocking out to the max. Great vocals, energy-driven guitars and fiery drums bring you in a real rock-mood. The bass is really important in this song even though you really need to focus on it to hear it. Right Where I Belong is a good opener. For the album as well as live. Guitar and vocals are the strongest points on this one. Drums are a little flat and the song is kinda repetitive. But all in all quite a good song.
2. It’s Not Me
Most likely up to be the 2nd single off the album. I think that’s a great choice. It’s actually an older song that was modified for the album Great lyrics. Great ability to rock out to when it’s played live. The complete package is there. Great bass lines and good rockin’ guitars. Oldschool 3 Doors Down on this one. The way we want to hear them. Brad’s vocals are really performed to the max to on this one. Guitar riffs are excellent and the drums are so energetic that this song will really take off and might be as big as Kryptonite was once.
3. Let Me Go
Let Me Go was the first single off the record and it’s still doing pretty well. Let Me Go has a perfect radio format. Builds up the excitement really well. Has a great live potential and has good lyrics. Also Brad’s vocals are really clear and the guitar riffs are very catchy. The drum and bass keep the rythm steady and keep the song from taking off too soon. But the chorus is really oldschool 3 Doors Down again. Pure modern rock & roll. Genuine & honest.
4. Be Somebody
The lyrics of Be Somebody are fabulous. So is the guitar on this track. Even though it’s not one of the heavier songs on the album the music really fits to the mood the lyrics set. The bass on this track is so professional. I really loved hearing that. There are a few great bass lines throughout the song. The drums are on a good pace and complete the song. Especially cause Brad’s vocals are really really clear. It’s one of my favorites off the album.
5. Landing in London
Rock & Roll legend Bob Seger worked with 3 Doors Down on this track. You can really hear his influence. It brought a nice touch to it. It’s a potential megahit all over the world. Brad’s vocals are better than ever and then the song gets slowly going more instruments are added than just the guitar and the song gets this volume without losing rythm or power. Bob Seger really is an asset to the song too. It’s mainstream yet creative. This is the song that’s gonna keep 3 Doors Down on the high spot they are now.
6. The Real Life
Genuine and pure rock song. It was my favorite after the first few listens. But it misses the geniality that’s in Landing in London. But this song is the perfect live song and also it’s a song that has awesome lyrics. “I won’t stop now until I’ve found a better part of me.”. Don’t we all identify with that? The intro of the song is amazing. First the guitar & bass, then the addition of drums. It all fits. Great song. Brad sings very good again and the rythm & energy of this song are splendid.
7. Behind Those Eyes
Behind Those Eyes is a track I see fit for radio too. It starts with a great melodic intro. Drums are a little flat but the melodic guitar lines make up for that. The bass doesn’t add something extra but it’s very professional. Then the chorus brings all the energy at once. The lyrics are decent but not outstanding as they are in some other songs on the record. Good song, not brilliant.
8. Never Will I Break
This is a pure rock song again. One of the heaviest songs on the album. But I don’t find it overwhelming. Could do pretty well live and the vocals are good. Especially together with the backing vocals. But this song can’t keep my attention for too long. Personally I see this one as the weakest track on the album. There’s a lot of energy and the instrumentals are well-balanced but it’s just not brilliant. 3 Doors Down can do better.
9. Father’s Son
Another amazing track. Splendid intro with the guitar. Then the energy starts off. Extra guitar, bass & drums. And then there’s the pace again when Brad starts singing. And at that moment you are blown away. This song, which is actually pretty old is definately gonna be one of the fans’ favorites. It’s one of mine for sure. It’s the other überbrilliant track on this album. Not on the last place cause of the controversial lyrics. “The one hand throws the whiskey, and the other throws the gun/As he cries out to the heavens/I am not my father’s son.” or “He said don’t try to scream now/but I want this one to hurt/and tonight my pretty one/I’m gonna get my money’s worth.”
10. Live For Today
Live For Today is a good pure rock & roll song again. I love it when 3 Doors Down gets all oldschool. They seem to get back to their soul when they do that. They are most comfortable with those kind of songs. The guitars, bass & drums are on their best when they do that. And Brad shows he’s a gifted singer too. This would be a great song to open the live set with to set the mood. Pretty good stuff. Trust me.
11. My World
I love how this song works on to a climax. Brad’s vocals are pretty good but he did better on other tracks. Guitar riffs are really professional while the bass ties the whole thing together. The drums are a little flat again. The lyrics are pretty good. Another good song for a live set I think. Wouldn’t fit to be a single but it’s a good song to rock out to. It had to grow on me before I really liked it.
12. Here By Me
This song reminds me of their last album, Away From The Sun. It feels like it was written for that album but didn’t make the cut. Nonetheless it’s an awesome track. Amazing lyrics, crystalclear vocals, brilliant drums, professional bass and laid-back guitars. How else would you want to end an album. Good stuff.
Although there were high expectations for this 3rd studio album, 3 Doors Down knows exactly what their strengths and weaknesses are. They delivered another strong album that is an icon for modern-day mainstream rock.