Album Rating: 3.5

Overall, this is a pretty decent album from AB, but it hurts me to know how much better it could have been.



I enjoyed the heavy guitar riffing, the overall lyrical theme, and of course, the solos.



However, the main problem this album suffers is the poor production quality. We're slammed with a wall of sound throughout the entire album, with no room or time to breathe. It's hard to distinguish the guitars. The bass was drowned out, and we didn't hear any back up vocals from Mark! The sound has a very watered down tone, it doesn't have any raw or crunchy feeling at all. It sounds more electronic than guitar at times. There's a lot of filler as well, with some songs not being unique from each other as they should be. While the album is upbeat, it lacks atmosphere that every single AB album--even ABIII--has had. I don't mean that the previous albums repeated the same atmosphere, what I am saying is that they at least had one.



Myles did have a very strong vocal performance, but this album fails to use his rich lower register at all. While the ballads are very accessible and sing-along compatible, they were slightly disappointing.



Bear in mind that I am only giving so much criticism because AB is an excellent band with high standards and I've been accustomed to their previous albums being damn good. So, even if a ballad is "disappointing" it still can still be a decent song.



IMO, the strongest songs of the album were its singles "Show Me A Leader," and "The Other Side." Still, I think "Cradle to the Grave" tops both of them narrowly. Honorable mention for "This Side of Fate." The eponymous track had an interesting breakdown and structure. "Crows On A Wire" would have been much, much, better if Kennedy's wailing wasn't overused and exploited in this album; by itself it's got a great hook of a chorus and opening riff.



I think the weakest songs were its ballads. In general, I don't listen to a lot of rock and ballads in rock can be really cliche, but AB is a band that has phenomenal ones.



Also, despite being a B-Side, I thought "Breathe" was a solid track. It probably would've been better with a solo instead of a two minute bridge, but the opening minute and a half of the song cannot be discarded. It definitely has an ODR sound to it, and I love listening to Kennedy singing that low after listening to The Last Hero several times. I recommend you give it a listen.

Album Rating: 2.5

Agree with pretty much everything you said. I just don't think I will be able to get into these guys unless they progress a little, they really need to write something in the vein of a catchier porcupine tree, with longer songs that have multiple movements, and some instrumentals and experimental tracks.



This basic structure and Disturbed-style production sells them so short that I can't hang anymore.



Oh we have 2 extremely capable guitarists and amazing vocalist what should we write? DUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUND CHORUS DUNDUINDDUNDND yep sounds great cut and print. Oh by the way the whole band loves Gojira and Opeth and progressive metal in general but I would rather write a few more country ballads.



Come on Alterbridge stop clowning around and make something that's worthy of all of your talents and influences ffs.



Thats my rant on Alterbridge.

"too many scrubs complaining about Myles' vocals"

Probably because he sounds like a douche.

Album Rating: 3.5

My theory is that the band has pretty much overworked themselves. Myles was touring nonstop with Slash and all the while was recording a solo record, which probably affected his voice.



Also, Tremonti's Dust and Cauterize are probably where the best song writing went in between Fortress and this album. Both are phenomenal records, imagine if some of those tracks like "Providence" were saved for AB!

Album Rating: 2.5

Myles is wasted on Slash honestly, I feel like they could really take their band places if they progressed and tapped into their potential.



I enjoyed Tremonti's solo stuff a bit, but he talked it up before release as this super heavy, old school metal project and really its just like Alterbridge. Don't get me wrong I love this band and Tremonti was my first favorite guitar player when I was a kid, I just know they could be making much more interesting music.

Album Rating: 3.0

Nothing has truly amazed me like Blackbird did when it came out, I don't think they'll ever top that for me

Album Rating: 2.5

They could but they will probably never do it.

Album Rating: 4.0

I guess I'm just not experiencing the same burnout with their sound. Production could be better but I'm enjoying this more and more with every listen. I'm all for them going further with the prog-rock elements and longer songs but their core sound on here with all the intricate riffs and solos is as enjoyable as ever for me. After Blackbird, I'll still give Fortress the edge but this isn't too far behind.

Album Rating: 2.5

I wish I could still be into them, but I am definitely burned out on their sound, it has to be a song on the level of some of the best cuts from Blackbird to even get an emotional response from me haha. Fortress was enjoyable but I could feel the magic wearing off.

Album Rating: 3.0

The last song I heard from them that sparked my interest was Show Me A Sign off of AB 3, other than that nothing touches Blackbird for me. I'm most definitely burned out on their sound

Album Rating: 4.0

Blackbird is definitely their best album by quite a bit

Album Rating: 2.0

Debatable between that and Fortress

Album Rating: 4.0

I suppose. Blackbird is more listenable, Fortress is better from a technical perspective.

Blackbird has a few more duds than Fortress imo. ABIII was their best album in terms of atmosphere.

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

"Probably because he sounds like a douche."



How?

This is not even a politically charged album lol

not interested. i wanted to share with you all that im not interested

Album Rating: 4.0

"This is not even a politically charged album lol"



Some of it is under guise but I'd argue all day that aside from the new Drive-By Truckers, this is the most political alternative rock album released this fall.

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

idk about that, there is the new Thrice this year and I'd say that's pretty politically motivated.

Not as good as Fortress but generally enjoyable for what it is. I agree with the guy above that these guys could be doing so much more than they've shown us so far. Fortress just hinted at it, and hopefully one day we'll get it.