Review Summary: While Three Day's Graces One- X gives you one hell of a mind trip, It seems to borrow mainly from it's earlier successes
Well now, I got this album for last Christmas and I enjoyed, but they more I heard of it, the less it grew on me. Three Days Grace are a Canadian band and released their self titled debut in 2003, I found that album a bit more original and better. When I heard of Adam Gontier troubling times with alcohol and drugs, I was intrigued when I first heard that they were releasing this new album. I thought that he would be able to use his times through his struggle to release a dark and well thought album. And they boys of Three Days Grace did, One X.
When they released Animal I Have Become, all my friends and I were very excited and hopeful that the rest of the album would be as strong as it's first single, unfortunately I didn't find this. Believe me though, I am not a metal hater, although it definitely isn't my favorite genre, it definitely requires skill. Three Days Grace has a very well accessible way of doing things. They seem to not have a type of annoying mainstream-ness that turns people away like some other bands. They are intense but not too intense for alternative fans like me. The band is very promising and I am still looking forward to more work from the band.
But when you're putting out a sophomore album, you should try your best to be a little bit different sounding then the debut. Not too different because then your entire sound is tainted, but enough to distinct your record from the debut. Three Days Grace, on the other hand, have basically repeated everything about Their first record. The guitars sound the same, the lyrics are a bit better this time round, but the basic sound of the band is the same. So I would have liked to see some more freshness on this time around.
The record does have its major ups, Animal I Have Become, Riot and One X are great songs with terrific choruses. Most songs on here do a good job of keeping the pace going and the same feel throughout the disc. The guitars are considerably heavy with mainly power chords playing in the songs. Also, Adam Gontier, lead singer, is absolutely terrific, he is definitely one of my favorites singers out today. He has a roughness that matches the loud drums and guitars. He does a great job of not singing like a pussy and keeping his tone original.
The songs are all quite good, but after track seven or so of listening, you may realize that the songs are very alike. It's a bit disappointing because while almost every song is strong, it sounds and has the same type of effects on them. There are very strong choruses especially on Riot, and have very interesting opening riffs. But one thing Three Days Grace definitely need to work on is their verses. The great guitar at the beginning of the song just cuts out as Adam sings the rest of the song. It just kinda slows down tremendously in the choruses until the great chorus takes over, its just something they need to work on. The lyrics in here range from different things, but are nothing spectacular. He sings of how there is still hope for those who feel there is no answer. (Never Too Late) Having someone out of their life leaves it better (Gone Forever) But others just arn't interesting. (Pain, Time of Dying)
So while Three Days Grace's album is no failure, some parts just weren't as interesting as the rest of the disc. Three Days Grace are promising but I find this album a tiny bit derivative and uninteresting. but I also find it interesting and pleasing. So it does deserve the rating average.
