Rough Edge: 3 Doors Down CD Reviews

3 DOORS DOWN

"Seventeen Days" (Republic Records / Universal; 2005)

The thing I like about 3 Doors Down is that their music is just good, solid rock'n'roll. There's no poser attitude and no attempt to be commercially controversial; there's just five guys playing the kind of rock music they want to play and probably want to hear.

Although there are tracks on this CD that are definitely "softer" than on previous CDs, there are also tracks that rock harder than those on other CDs. That's a double-edged sword for the band because there are fans who are going to scream that the music on "Seventeen Days" is too wimpy and fans who are going to scream that it's too extreme. ("Extreme" is relative here; , "Seventeen Days" doesn't even come close to Slipknot "extreme," in fact sounding more in the vein of Sammy Hagar than Motley Crue.) Personally, I think the balance is just about perfect.

Interestingly, one of the CD's best tracks, "Landing in London," is a slow, ballad-y tune that packs an emotional wallop and is given an even greater boost due to the guest appearance of Bob Seger on vocals.

"Seventeen Days" isn't going to turn anyone into a 3 Doors Down fan, but I can't imagine anyone who's enjoyed the band's previous work not finding this CD to their liking.

For more information, please visit http://www.3doorsdown.com.

"Another 700 Miles" (Republic Records / Universal; 2003)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

This six track CD (seven, if you count the spoken word intro to "When I'm Gone), was recorded live during the band's "Away From the Sun Tour" of 2003. As you might expect, it contains recordings of sturdy live performances of some of the band's best known songs, a surprisingly successful cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "That Smell," and a new song called "It's Not Me."

What I like most about 3 Doors Down is that they appear to be the genuine article. When they say, "We support our troops," they're not just blowing hot air. And their music seems genuine, too. They're playing the music they want to play, and they hope you like it. If not, that's fine, too.

I'm certain that "Another 700 Miles" was just released to appease fans until the next 3 Doors Down studio album is released. As such, it certainly fits the bill.

3 Doors Down is: Brad Arnold, vocals; Matt Roberts, guitar; Chris Henderson, guitar; Todd Harrell, bass; Daniel Adair - drums.

For more information, please visit http://www.3doorsdown.com.

"Away from the Sun" (Universal; 2002)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

With "Away from the Sun," 3 Doors Down have quite possibly crafted a better sophomore album "The Better Life," their debut. Here, they continue in the same vein and keep with the solid rock sound that garnered their popularity. This release may sound a little more polished than their first effort but the smoothness refers to their musical growth. The bite of their Southern sound is still apparent and when they rock the rafters there is a fiery approach as they ratchet it up. When they do slow a song down, it’s done with an ease and velvetiness.

Their lyrics lean towards a reflective state; it’s definitely not poetry written on a beach and set to music. Instead, there is an insightful message contained in each track. Most of the songs deal with relationships, and aren’t we all trying to work through those and on every level? The written lines communicate with enough relevance that you can at least sympathize with half the tracks, provided you let the music move you toward the center of the song.

There are enough funky riffs and crunchy rhythm submissions that will burn into your memory bank and you’ll want to listen to this disc often so they don’t become latent. The solos grab hold and sink in as well. "Away from the Sun" stays in heavy rotation for me because 3 Doors Down have a solid sound without a special effects echo and the vocals have a tough sound, too. 3 Doors Down enlisted a new drummer so that Brad could move front and center instead of behind the kit; I feel the move was well worth it.

The best songs are “When I’m Gone,” “Away From The Sun,” “Ticket To Heaven, “ “Running Out Of Days,” and “Going Down In Flames.”

3 Doors Down: Brad Arnold – vocals; Matt Roberts – guitar; Chris Henderson – guitar; Todd Harrell – bass; Daniel Adair – drums.

For more information, check out http://www.3doorsdown.com.

"The Better Life" (Republic Records; 2000)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

3 Doors Down plays hard rock that is more in the vein of Cheap Trick than, say, Ratt. It's hook-ridden guitar rock with the emphasis on "guitar." For the most part, each song races along at a peppy little pace, driven by chunky guitars and charismatic vocals, and the next thing you know you're boppin' your head to the music. It's pretty contagious stuff.

Fans of commercial punk like the Ramones and conventional hard rock like Cheap Trick will get into 3 Doors Down easily enough. In fact, it's almost irresistible. "The Better Life" is a very entertaining CD. Highlights include the opening track, "Kryptonite," the much-radio-played title track and the final track, "So I Need You."

3 Doors Down is: Brad Arnold, drums/vocals; Matt Roberts, rhythm/lead guitars; Chris Henderson, Rhythm/Lead guitars; Todd Harrell, bass guitar.

For more information, please visit http://www.3doorsdown.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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