The problem with most CD reviews is you only
get the opinion of the one critic doing the review. So we thought it might
be fun to try something new here by giving the exact same CD to two different
critics (or more) and see what they each come up with and just how much
difference a single critic's opinion can make.
Note: due to the nature of this series, the reviews
may tend to be more in the first person than you are used to with music
criticism.
3 Doors
Down Seventeen Days
Label: Universal
Tracks:
Right Where I Belong
It's Not Me
Let Me Go
Be Somebody
Landing In London - (with Bob Seger)
Real Life, The
Behind Those Eyes
Never Will I Break
Father's Son
Live For Today
My World
Here By Me. |
Jen Procop's review - she gave it a
rating of 
3 Doors Down has always been a bit of a
hybrid band
a cross section of southern rock mixed with ample guitar licks
and blended occasionally with a heartfelt ballad. They had some success
in showcasing the depth of there talents with the hard wheeling Kryptonite"
and the softer, more subtle Here Without You. In their new release, Seventeen
Days, the winning combination that they had found in previous offerings
becomes an absolute blur of direction on this record.
The band seems to lack any continuity
here, ranging from rough grungy undertones to simple and uninspired lovesongs.
This is never more evident than on The Real Life where Brad Arnolds
vocals go from a serenade in the park to a howl at the moon. Are you the
Scorpions? Are you a power ballad band? I doubt they know.
As you continue down the track list, one
thing becomes evident- everything sounds the same. From the very first
song ("Right Where I Belong") to the eventual end ("Here by Me") the monotonous,
predictable and unavoidable pattern remains. "Landing in London" is about
the best youll see on this album where they finally appear to have a path.
Seventeen Days is a disappointment
although hard-core fans will always find something likeable about this
album. Unfortunately this is a long and drawn out Seventeen days
antiGUY's Review - He gave it a Rating
of 
If you look at 3
Doors Down's first two albums you see that they found success in two different
arenas. Their first album was a straight ahead rocker that made them stars
and their second album saw them tone things down quite a bit and deliver
Matchbox-20 like middle of the road numbers, both having a pull at different
audiences. The good news for the band's third time is that they have
managed to bring together both worlds .
On the plus side
that means that fans of both of their previous album will find something
to like with Seventeen Days. On the other hand, some may feel that
they are only getting half of the album that they want, depending on their
taste. The perfect fan will love both side equally, but I find myself gravitating
towards the rockers more. And the band pleases right out of the gate with
"Right Where I Belong," a riff happy rocker that is heavier than what you
would expect from this band. But then the band throws a speed bump up next
with "It's Not Me" which sounds a little like a rehash of "Loser", but
has its charms including some real lead guitar.
"Let Me Go" is a
pretty standard love song. One thing about this band is that their albums
have always had what some would consider filler, but they more than make
up for it with their strong songs. "Real Life" falls into the filler category,
it's a bit too predictable. The soulful and plaintive "Be Somebody"
and melancholy "Landing in London" should keep fans of the mellower side
of the band happy as both are exceptional showcases of 3 Doors Down wearing
their hearts on their sleeves. Again on the Landing, the band arent afraid
of using their lead guitar chops, even if they are understated. The guest
appearance from Bob Seger doesn't hurt either.
"Behind Those Eyes"
harkens back to yesteryear when guitar based ballads were expected from
every rock album. "Never Will I Break" starts with 3 Doors Down's signature
guitar sound and makes way for a bluesly rocker that lifts the temperament
of this album. "Father's Son" a bit too formulaic, but the addition of
strings and Brad Arnold's emotional vocals are sure to endear this song
to many fans.
"Live For Today"
was a bit of a surprise. The verses are pretty standard but in the choruses
Arnold breaks out with Cornell like screams, making this a definitely highlight
of the album where the band step outside of the box. "My World" follows
the light verse to heavy choruses but sounds pretty standard. Of course,
the band ends off with a ballad, perhaps the best one on the album with
scaled back instrumentation.
In the end, 3 Doors
Down have brought together the elements that made their first two albums
work. While they don't approach the brilliance of their debut, the fans
of their heavier side will find a couple of solid songs on Seventeen
Days. For those that enjoyed the band's second album more, you will
find more to love here. If you use a baseball analogy with
the band's debut being a homerun, then Seventeen Days is a double play.
If you enjoyed either of the band's previous releases, you should definitely
check out Seventeen Days.
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