Review Summary: In what would turn out to be Adam Gontier's final project during his tenure with Three Days Grace, he leaves behind a very evident mindset towards his now former bandmates.
Call them bland and generic. Call them the greatest band you've ever seen. Call them whatever you want. Three Days Grace has shown they know exactly what they want and due in large part to now former front-man Adam Gontier, they can lean back and land on a cushion of number one hits and platinum selling albums.
This effort, however, did not match the success of its three predecessors, and as fans of this group know all too well, it was released just three months before Gontier's departure from Three Days Grace, after 21 years at the helm of what was originally known as Groundswell.
It's only fitting that Gontier's stint with this group ends with its most lackluster effort thus far, though 2015's "Human", featuring My Darkest Days singer Matt Walst, would go on to give this record a run for its money.
There are some strong points on this album, and lyrically speaking, it's everything you'd expect from a Three Days Grace album. Especially considering Gontier poured his personal demons into "One-X" and "Life Starts Now," it's not surprising to see Three Days Grace add more tracks about depression and loneliness to their catalog. So, you've got the same formulaic if not relatable and personable lyricism, but in terms of quality, this album finds itself backtracking all too often. Even I, an admitted fan of this group, cannot seem to determine why Gontier goes left every time you think he'll turn right. Lead off single "Chalk Outline" is a standout track and deservedly so. The pedal to the metal (not that kind of metal) guitar solo from Barry Stock, mixed in with dubstep, shows this group isn't afraid to experiment.
However, as evidenced by tracks like "Sign of the Times" and "The High Road," the experimentation not only goes somewhat awry, it sounds truly generic and contrived.
As mentioned, there are strong suits that prove the benefits of experimentation and stepping outside of your comfort zone. "Expectations" is unlike the majority of Three Days Grace's discography, speaking both lyrically and musically. "Misery Loves My Company" sees the refined instrumentation of Barry Stock, Brad Walst and Neil Sanderson. But there's still something missing. Gontier doesn't sound nearly as genuine nor refined as this group's three previous albums. Perhaps this is an indirect connection to the "health reasons" he cited when he left Three Days Grace?
Upon reading the summary I included for this, you will have noted I find Gontier to be candid and open towards his bandmates. If you don't get what I mean by this, go listen to "Broken Glass" (All we are is broken glass/Thrown to the floor, we were never meant to last/And all we are are empty shells/Try to pick us up, you're gonna cut yourself.")
Gontier uses this track, as well as "Give Me a Reason" to foreshadow his departure in January 2013, though I'm sure neither his own bandmates nor listeners of this album had a clue in the world he was even considering leaving. Granted, I didn't see it coming either, but it's water under the bridge at this point.
Even when throwing 2015's "Human" into the mix, I find myself liking this album to an extent, but not nearly as much as its three predecessors, or its currently only successor. The reason? Simply put, Gontier does not sound up to par. Granted, others may enjoy the dubstep implementation, as well as the overall progression of the group's sound. Others may agree with me that as far as Adam's vocals are concerned, "Transit of Venus" is nothing like "One-X" or "Life Starts Now." Nevertheless, I enjoyed plenty of songs from this record, and am glad to see Adam Gontier in a proverbial "better place" with his new "supergroup" project Saint Asonia.
Recommended tracks: "Chalk Outline", "Expectations", "Operate", "Misery Loves My Company"
Not recommended: "Sign of the Times", "The High Road", "Give In to Me", "Broken Glass"
